Police identify person in downtown Columbia death investigation

Columbia police confirmed the identity of the man who was found dead on Sixth Street in downtown Columbia on Tuesday.

Marcus Andrew Rodhouse, 47, of Columbia was found lying in the street by a Columbia Police Department officer at about 3:50 p.m., CPD spokesman Jeff Pitts wrote in an email.

Pitts said the investigation was ongoing, and foul play was not suspected. He did not have details about the man’s injuries or how he got there.

Sixth Street was closed initially but reopened at about 5 p.m.

The scene is next to a tall parking garage from which several people have jumped to their deaths, but Pitts said he could not say whether police suspected suicide.

Columbia’s Public Works Department said on Twitter that the east entrance and exit of the parking garage at Fifth and Walnut streets was closed. The Columbia Police Department’s Twitter account said police were preparing for a media briefing at Sixth Street and Broadway, near the closed garage entrance.

The east entrance and exit of the Fifth and Walnut Parking Garage are currently closed for a death investigation. Those exiting the garage will be directed to exit the west side entrance.

— Columbia Pub Works (@pub_works) December 11, 2018

Look for more on this developing story.

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