Columbus man found dead behind church building

COLUMBUS – On February 15th just after 10 am, Hempstead County Deputy Kyle Malone was dispatched to the Columbus Baptist Church at 2771 Highway 73 West regarding a male subject falling off the roof of a church. While en route dispatch advised that the male subject was deceased.

 Upon arrival, Deputy Malone made contact with EMS personnel, who advised him that the male subject was in fact deceased. Deputy Malone walked around the back side of the church and observed a white male laying on his back who appeared to be deceased.

First responders identified the deceased person as 63-year-old James “Jim” Schooley. It appeared to Deputy Malone that Mr. Schooley had been laying there for some period of time

Coroner Peters arrived and the scene was turned over to him. Coroner Peters began his investigation. Once Coroner Peters was done with his investigation, he pronounced Jim Schooley deceased at 11:04 am.  Mr. Schooley’s body was transported to the State Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death.