By By Arthur McLean
So far, there is no evidence to suggest foul play in the death of Woodrow Riley, according to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators continue to investigate Riley's death, however. "It is our policy to investigate every death as a homicide until the evidence proves otherwise," said Cpt. Chuck McMullen. "This is a tragic case and we are taking every step possible to ensure that this case is investigated properly."
Several things uncovered in the investigation to date indicate there was no foul play or outside influences involved in the death, said Sheriff Grover Smith.
A note was found near Riley and it appears that he wrote it, according to a Sheriff's Office report. The Sheriff's Office sent the note, along with other samples of Riley's handwriting to the state's crime lab for analysis.
"Information has also come to us that he mentioned taking his own life," Smith said.
The Sheriff's Office requested that the Alabama Bureau of Investigation assist in the case. "We're pursuing every lead, investigating every avenue we have," Smith said.
On August 26th, around 3:00 am, Deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and officers with the Atmore Police Department responded to a residence on Atmosphere Road after the Sheriff's Office received a call about a boy being found dead, according to a Sheriff's Office report.
"Officers found the boy hanging by a strap. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:18am. Investigator Kenny Brazile was notified and responded to the scene to begin the investigation," according to the statement.
The case will be presented to the Escambia County Grand Jury when the investigation is complete and investigators have received the final autopsy report from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
He is survived by his mother, Thelma L. Riley of Atmore; his father, Woodrow W. Curry of Atmore; five brothers, Jeramain Riley, Kenny Curry, Steven Curry and Jonathan Curry, all of Atmore, and Fredrick Curry of Philadelphia, Penn.; four sisters, Asteria Riley, Lakeshia Finlay, Marsha Curry and Seketha Dailey, all of Atmore and his grandparents, O.Z. and Earnestine Riley of Atmore.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 2, at 4 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church in Freemanville.