NATCHEZ — On Monday afternoon the Adams County Coroner and the Natchez Police Department removed the body of a 42-year-old man from the attic of a house on Lafayette Street.

Forzina “Randy” Myles’ body was discovered by his brother Jimmy Myles shortly after noon on Monday.

Jimmy said he was concerned because he had not seen his brother for days and the house was filled with a bad odor.

“Something told me to look in the attic,” he said.

Natchez Police Sgt. Craig Godbold said Myles had a history of schizophrenia and heart disease.

Godbold said family members reported that it was not uncommon for Myles’ paranoia to cause him to hide in the attic for more than a day at a time.

“That was not unusual for him,” he said.

Godbold said Sandy Edney, Myles’ common law wife, was the last person to speak to him on June 24.

Myles was already in the attic when he asked Edney to go to the store for beer Godbold said.

When Edney returned from the store she reported there was no answer from the attic when she called for Myles, Godbold said.

Godbold said Edney reported she thought Myles left the house when she received no answer.

Coroner James Lee said Myles’ body was in advanced stages of decomposition when it was discovered on Monday.

Lee estimated Myles had been dead approximately six days.

Myles’ body was scheduled to be autopsied in Jackson on Monday night.

Lee said while an autopsy would reveal the cause of death, he did not see any indication of foul play.

Godbold said at least five other people live in the house on Lafayette.

Mary Johnson, Myles’ mother, described her son as the type of person who would help any person he met.

“He was a very giving person,” she said.