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Police identify man found dead in Indian Trail

UNION COUNTY — Deputies have identified the body found Monday in Lake Park as Mark Hudspeth -- a man who was reported missing by his family after going out for a jog near Indian Trail.

Hudspeth's family reported him missing after he left for a run and never came back Monday. Investigators have not determined the cause of death, but are investigating the case as a murder. They have not classified it as murder investigation, however.

“Everything was blocked off and then they told us to leave,” Joseph Lopez said.

Lopez showed up for a Cub Scout meeting at a Lake Park Church only to find out the area, including a nearby trail had become a crime scene.

Hudspeth's body was still behind the church and investigators were collecting evidence.

“It's sad that something like this had to happen,” Lopez said.

Earlier in the day, the family of Hudspeth contacted Channel 9. They said the 50-year-old father left for a jog Monday morning without his cellphone or wallet and never returned.

Police searched the running trails in Lake Park for hours and found a man's body just after 6:30 p.m. Now they're trying to determine how he died.

“It's very unnerving because there are lot of children in this area and elderly people,” Kate Gaskill said.

The death has shocked the small community. Neighbors watched investigators look for clues. The people who live in Lake Park are waiting to find out what happened and if there was any foul play involved.

"We are thoroughly investigating this as a murder, but it has not been classified as a murder,” Sheriff Eddie Cathey said.

He told Channel 9 they are not looking for any suspects at this time.

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