In the quiet woods behind his home in Leeds, Alabama, a day of hunting ended in tragedy for Mark W. Benefield. The 63-year-old male was found deceased on January 31, 2015. Initial reports from investigators suggested that he appeared to have sustained an accidental gunshot wound while he was hunting.
Born on April 19, 1951, Benefield was a graduate of Leeds High School in 1969 and remained a resident of the area throughout his life. He was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard.
His sudden and unexpected death prompted an investigation involving the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office, the Alabama Department of Conservation, and a Natural Resources Game Warden to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.
Despite the ongoing investigation at the time, there were no public reports of any arrests being made or any suspects being sought in connection with his death. The available information points to a tragic accident in the woods he called home.
