Body Recovered In Hurricane Creek Believed To Be Missing Cottondale Man

COTTONDALE, AL — The body of a Cottondale man missing since late February was recovered Tuesday in the Hurricane Creek area.

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As Patch previously reported, Steven Cierocke, 63, reportedly left a residence on foot, wearing black jeans, a camouflage pullover and carrying a bottle of wine.

Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Commander Jack Kennedy told local media that the family reported that this was a common activity, but one that ultimately prompted a large-scale search with drones, a helicopter and K-9 units.

Kennedy said on Tuesday that a deceased man was found in the same general area in Hurricane Creek and the multiagency unit is actively conducting the death investigation.

Still, Kennedy said the dead man whose body was recovered is presumed to be Cierocke, pending identification and cause of death that have yet to be confirmed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

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