Evansville, IN — The body of 59-year-old James Sublett was found Tuesday near the 4700 block of East Morgan Avenue on the city’s east side, and authorities say there are still unanswered questions about what happened as mourners in the community struggle with the shock of his sudden death.
Police and medical examiners were called to a wooded area close to Green River Road shortly after 2 p.m. when a passerby spotted Sublett unresponsive near the tree line. The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office later confirmed his identity, bringing a face and story to the man so many in the neighborhood began asking about.
Early investigations by the Evansville Police Department and the coroner’s team have not turned up signs of foul play, officials told reporters in a brief statement. There were no visible injuries or evidence at the scene that pointed to violence, and detectives said an autopsy performed Wednesday was meant to clarify Sublett’s cause of death. That final determination is still pending release.
Friends and neighbors described Sublett as a familiar presence in the area. Those who knew him said he often kept to himself, yet was always ready with a greeting or small talk when passing by. The suddenness of his passing has left a quiet ache among people who crossed paths with him at local businesses and on neighborhood streets. Relatives have asked for privacy as they begin to lay plans and cope with the loss.
Investigators have made it clear that while no crime is suspected, the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Sublett’s death is ongoing. Police have asked anyone who might have been near East Morgan Avenue or noticed anything unusual in the hours before his body was found to come forward. Tips could help fill in blanks that official reports have yet to explain.
Authorities continue to work closely with the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office as they piece together a timeline of his last day. Community leaders and local clergy have started to check in with people who live near the scene, urging neighbors to look out for each other and offer support where it’s needed most.
Family members released a brief statement through the police expressing their profound grief and asking the public to keep them in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate a sorrowful time and wait for more details from the ongoing medical investigation.
