A Yazoo City man whose injuries remain a mystery to investigators died Tuesday afternoon at a Jackson hospital.
Billy Ray Peeples, also known as the Peanut Man, died around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at University Medical Center after remaining unresponsive for over a week due to head injuries.
Yazoo County Coroner Ricky Shivers said Peeples suffered a blow to the head that resulted in his death.
"After reviewing the medical records, it appears he died as a result of traumatic brain injury due to blunt force trauma,” Shivers said.
An autopsy was scheduled for Friday at a state laboratory. Shivers said those results should paint a clearer picture of what happened.
“It takes at least 24 hours after an autopsy to get the necessary paperwork back from the lab,” Shivers said. “I should know the results by Saturday.”
Peeples was discovered Monday, June 11 inside a Jerry Clower Boulevard building with head wounds after friends reported last seeing him the previous Friday. An investigation soon began to determine if the victim’s injuries were from an assault or an accident.
Investigators have not officially determined if the cause of Peeples’ injuries were the result of a violent attack or if he fell on metal machinery while walking in the dark building and suffered an accidental injury. Family members insist that Peeples was attacked, and some have questioned the pace of the investigation.
Police Chief Ron Sampson said the case has been a difficult one because no tips or information has emerged that traces Peeples’ whereabouts prior to being to being discovered unresponsive. He urges anyone with information to come forward to aid in their investigation.
“Mr. Peeples’ case is receiving the full attention of the Yazoo City Police Department and its investigators,” Sampson said. “All leads are being explored to their fullest attention at this time, and it cannot be stressed enough that if you have any information regarding the events that led to the death of Mr. Peeples, please contact us.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Capt. William Nevels, criminal investigations supervisor, at the police department at 746-1131.
Tips may be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers at 746-TIPS where one can receive up to $1,000 for information regarding this case.
