Electrocution victim found

Badly decomposed remains found inside a Gaffney Board of Public Works power substation Tuesday are of a 49-year-old Fort Lawn man, according to Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler.

Fowler said Donald Lloyd Catoe, of 5170 Lancaster Highway, died from electrocution. His remains were identified through dental records.

The body was found at about 2 p.m. Tuesday by BPW workers cutting grass at the power substation behind Hamrick's Plant No. 5 at 178 Hyatt St.

Fowler said Catoe's death was not suspicious and that the manner and cause of death was ruled accidental electrocution.

"Mr. Catoe was trespassing when he breached the security of the locked 6 foot chain link fence with barbed wire surrounding the electrical sub-station," Fowler said in a prepared release.

"We have evidence that indicates he came into contact with high voltage and then fell approximately 15 feet to the ground. "

Fowler said family members said they had not had any contact with Mr. Catoe since January.

Fowler had said Tuesday that the remains appeared to be about six to eight months old.

BPW workers had not been to the power substation in about a year.