Baffling Disappearance Of CDC Epidemiologist Remains Unsolved After
More Than One Month
[Editor's Note: Since we last went to press at the end
of March, Atlanta public officials in early April have found the body
of CDC epidemiologist Tim Cunningham in the Chattahoochee River near
Cunningham's home. Apparently Cunningham drowned and there is no
evidence of foul play uncovered to date. We will report additional
details in our next issue later in April.]
As noted last month in
our Notes on People feature and widely reported in the media, CDC
epidemiologist Tim Cunningham has been reported missing for
over a month now. The case is baffling his family, friends, and
investigators because Cunningham disappeared without a clue. The
police have characterized the case as very unusual because his wallet,
mobile phone, credit cards, keys, automobile, and even his much loved
dog were all found in the home.
On the last day he was seen, it was widely reported
based on police statements that Cunningham had met with his supervisor
that morning after being passed over for a promotion. He subsequently
said he was ill and left work early. He has not been seen since.
According to acting CDC director Anne Schuchat,
“There
has been news coverage that Commander
Cunningham recently did not receive a
promotion. As many of his colleagues in the USPHS have pointed out,
this information is incorrect. In fact, he received an early promotion
/ exceptional proficiency promotion to Commander effective July 1,
2017, in recognition of his exemplary performance in the U.S. Public
Health Service (USPHS). Over and above any of his assignments at CDC,
his early promotion within the USPHS reflects his excellence as an
officer and an employee.”
According to USA Today, the Atlanta police department
is “…standing by its statements, saying the information came directly
from the CDC. This conflicting information makes the already
mysterious missing person case even more confusing.”
He called in
sick in the two workdays before his Feb 12 disappearance
Below
are additional facts about the case as reported by various media
sources.
·
He
called in sick in the two workdays before his Feb 12 disappearance
·
His home
was locked but two windows had been left open
·
He sent
a text to his mother very early in the morning on the day he
disappeared while her phone was turned to silent
·
His
father said that some exchanges with his son via phone as well as text
on the day before he disappeared raised concern.
·
Two days
before disappearing, he asked a neighbor to have his phone number
deleted from the neighbor’s wife’s phone.
A reward of at least $20,000 has now been announced for information on
the disappearance. Anyone with information about Cunningham is asked
to call the Atlanta Police Homicide/Missing Persons Unit at 404-546-4235.
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