A man whose body was found Friday behind Statesboro’s Kmart store has been identified as a man missing from Portal since the end of December.

Bulloch County Coroner Jake Futch confirmed Wednesday that the body is that of David Jakob Johnson, 22, who had been living in a homeless situation.

Portal police Chief Jason Sapp said Johnson’s family members reported him missing earlier this month and said they had not seen or heard from him since Dec. 28.

“It’s a sad situation, and we don’t know yet why he died,” he said.

Futch said autopsy results have not yet determined the cause of death. Histology (study of body tissue) and toxicology (test for intoxicants) results may take three to four months, he said.

Two juveniles exploring the area behind the Kmart building Friday discovered the body. A cellphone was found nearby, but there was no identification. Dental records were used to identify Johnson, he said.

Reports by Statesboro police Detective Jared Akins stated no foul play was suspected.

Futch said Johnson appeared to have been dead "10 to 12 days." His body was sent Monday morning to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in Savannah for an autopsy.

Results from the autopsy are not expected to be returned for several days, he said.

Johnson, who had relatives in Portal, was known to frequent the area near Kmart, McDonald's and the Gate Station on Northside Drive East, Sapp said.

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.