Southport Police Chief Jerry Dove says the case involving the man found dead near a marina has been ruled as an "unattended death."SOUTHPORT, NC (WECT) – The Southport Police Department has ruled the death of a local man as an "unattended death."
Shuford Alexander Martin, 56, was found dead early Friday near the Southport Marina, according to Southport Police Chief Jerry Dove.
Dove told WECT.com that Martin relies on a motorized wheelchair to get around and was seen leaving his apartment on E. 11th Street around 7:00 Friday morning.
Southport city workers reportedly saw him riding down Atlantic Avenue about two hours later.
Martin then made his way to the Southport Marina. Dove said people saw him ride onto a landing by the marina and was last seen on a nearby floating dock.
Two people riding in a boat saw a body floating in the water and pulled the body on board.
The boaters tried to perform CPR before Southport's rescue squads responded, but it was too late, according to Dove.
Dove said Martin had many health issues. Martin's family also told the SPD that he had been depressed for quite some time.
It is believed that Martin took off his wheelchair seat belt himself, according to Dove.
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