Police identify decomposed body found near busy Matthews road

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Police have identified the decomposed body found near a busy Matthews road Friday.

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Officers responded to East John Street near Interstate 485 around 11:30 a.m.where they said a roadside cleanup worker discovered a body in a wooded area.

The body was later identified as 46-year-old Shawn Horton.

Officers said they found a bicycle next to Horton's body and it's possible he was hit by a car, but it’s too early to know for sure.

According to officials, Horton was known to wear the unique multicolored coat found at the scene on a regular basis. At the time of his death, along with the coat, he was also wearing blue jeans and light brown work-style boots. Officials said Horton was known to ride a purple and silver Huffy Stone Mountain bicycle around Stallings, Charlotte and Matthews.

(Coat and bike pictured below)

Channel 9 crews were there as police set up on the side of the road to gather evidence.

Police said traffic on East John Street was down to one lane for the investigation.

Neighbors said they saw police arrive Friday morning and saw officers combing for clues for hours.

“Kept looking out the front window questioning what’s going on down there,” neighbor Kara Baertlein said.

Police said they believe Horton's body had been there for several weeks.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Matthews Police Department at (704) 847-5555.

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