Dead body found at landfill in Ferris identified

FERRIS — UPDATE 4/18/2015: Body found at Skyline Landfill has been identified as Sammy McMellon Jr. according to Ferris Police Chief Sam Love.

"The deceased person found at the landfill yesterday has been identified as Sammy McMellon Jr. He was last seen Thurs night at about 10 PM near his home in West Ft.Worth. Ft. Worth PD Detectives are assisting Ferris PD Investigator Weiss," Chief Love said in a written statement.

McMellon's body was found at the Skyline Landfill at approximately 11:50 a.m. Friday according to the Ferris Police Department.

"Today at 11:50 a.m. a Skyline Landfill employee found a deceased person that we believe was in a load of refuse brought in early this morning," Chief Love said in a written statement Friday afternoon.

According to police, the body was believed to be a 48-year-old African American male. Police estimate the death occurred within the past 24 hours from the time the body was found.

"The person was fully clothed and no indication of a trauma wound was immediately visible," Chief Love stated.

The Ferris Police Department is investigating with assistance from the Dallas Sheriff's Department Crime Scene unit assisting with processing the scene.

"The location is in the part of the City of Ferris that is in Dallas County. The Dallas County Medical Examiner has taken custody of the body for processing to determine the cause of death," Chief love stated.