Missing Schizophrenic John Cash Found Nude in Virginia River

Missing Schizophrenic John Cash Found Nude in Virginia River
John E. Cash, 25, was last seen in Norfolk, Va., on May 6, 2019. (Courtesy of Norfolk Police Department)
Richard Szabo
5/9/2019
Updated:
5/9/2019

Authorities have found a naked body belonging to a Virginia man who was reported missing on May 6.

Norfolk Police Department confirmed it identified a body, which officers found floating in the Lafayette River in the Talbot Park neighborhood on May 7, as John E. Cash.

Cash, 25, was last seen the day before about 8 p.m. when he left his Norfolk home near Granby and Thole streets wearing no clothes at all. He was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia and requires medication.

“Norfolk police and fire-rescue responded and recovered the body from the water,” police said in a public statement. “Tuesday night, police confirmed that the body recovered was Cash. No foul play is suspected.”

The grisly find came after a concerned citizen phoned police dispatchers just before 5:30 p.m. local time to report a man’s body floating just off the shore near the 7,000 block of Mallard Drive.

“Norfolk police and fire-rescue responded and recovered the body from the water,” police said in an earlier public statement. “The man’s body will be taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office to identify the man and determine how he died.”

Norfolk detectives described Cash as measuring 6 feet tall, weighing 190 pounds, having short black hair, brown eyes, and a thin goatee.

“He has a gladiator/spartan tattoo on the right side of his chest and a surgical scar on his left knee,” police said in a public statement.
Richard Szabo is an award-winning journalist with more than 12 years' experience in news writing at mainstream and niche media organizations. He has a specialty in business, tourism, hospitality, and healthcare reporting.
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