Police: Man found floating in Rankin County creek had been shot multiple times

RICHLAND, Miss. (WLBT) - The man whose body was found floating in Richland Creek on Tuesday has been identified.

According to Jackson police, the victim is 29-year-old Dan Belton of Jackson.

Chief Joseph Wade with the Jackson Police Department says that an unidentified woman filed a missing person report Tuesday in Precinct 1.

Belton was last seen Saturday near Woody Dr. in Jackson.

Upon receiving the call, Captain Nash with Jackson police canvassed the area mentioned in the report and that was when he found Belton’s body in the creek on Old Highway 49 East.

The body was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

“Unfortunately, we did locate the body, we were able to retrieve the body, and we did identify the person as the person missing from here in Jackson,” said Chief Wade.

Richland police assisted the Jackson Police Department with recovering the body, Public Information Officer Allison Clark said.

The investigation initially began under the jurisdiction of JPD.

Chief Wade says JPD is currently pursuing two suspects: James Thurman of Jackson and another unidentified individual.

He says both will be charged with murder, as police believe they killed Belton and disposed of his body in Richland Creek.

“We will be pursuing that person, and anybody else that we found that had any dealings, information, or contributed to disposing of this person’s body,” said Chief Wade.

Kayla Reeder is a mother of three who lives less than 10 minutes from where Belton’s body was recovered. She says a situation like this doesn’t sit well with her.

“With it being this close to Jackson, and it coming from there, and coming straight to here, I hope that they find who did it. I hope that the family gets justice. My prayers and my thoughts are with these people. I just, I really hope that they get a handle on this,” said Reeder.

Even though Belton’s body was recovered in Richland, his murder was believed to have been committed in Jackson.

Belton’s death marks the seventh homicide this month in the capital city.

Chief Wade says if you have any information about the two suspects, call JPD or CrimeStoppers.

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