According to Cherokee County, Alabama Sheriff Jeff Shaver, a body was discovered Monday morning alongside U.S. Highway 411 by a passing motorist.

A stretch of 411 was closed down in both directions in order to prevent any motorists from entering the scene; on the Centre side motorists were detoured near Centre Middle School.

The sheriff said there was never any threat to students, faculty or staff at the school.

Investigators with the Cherokee County Major Crimes Unit, JSU Center for Applied Science, and Alabama State Troopers responded and processed the scene.

The victim has been identified as 54 year old Donald Keener of Centre.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by Cherokee County Coroner Jeremy Deaton.

The body was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.

A cause of death is pending, and that case remains under investigation by the Major Crimes Unit.

(WEIS Radio)