Missing Mississippi Man, Alabama Native, Found Dead

STARKVILLE, MS — A Starkville, Mississippi, man who has been missing since Nov. 12 has been reported dead, according to a report by the Starkville Police Department. Richard "Cory" Baughn, a native of Lynn, Alabama, was last seen leaving an apartment on Stark Road in Starkville and was reportedly heading to Alabama to visit family.

Law enforcement said they have not determined the cause of death or if foul play is suspected.

"Today, November 26, 2019, the Starkville Police Department, with the assistance of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, located the remains of Richard 'Cory' Baughn," read a statement from Starkville police. "He and his vehicle were found in a wooded area near Highway 82 and Highway 45 in Lowndes County.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Baughn family and all affected by the loss of Cory. We would like to thank everyone for their assistance throughout this time. Please continue to pray for the Baughn family through their time of mourning."

Law enforcement pinged Baughn's phone Wednesday, November 13, in Columbus, Mississippi. His phone stayed in one location for 6 hours near Columbus. Baughn reportedly told co-workers he was going to visit his father in Lynn, but he never arrived there.

A group of more than 80 people searched over the weekend for Baughn but the search came up empty.

Baughn’s sister Katie Hearn, told the Starkville Daily News on Monday that multiple agencies used drones over the weekend in the search, but there were no signs of Baughn or his white 2005 Nissan 350Z.

Baughn, 31, was a 2011 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and had lived in Jasper before moving to Mississippi.