A hunter from the Jackson area has been found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in the Delta National Forest, Sharkey County Coroner Angelia Eason said.

The body of Justin Morris, 28, was found at 11:15 p.m. Sunday next to the door inside a boxed-in trailer about two miles off U.S. 61, Sharkey Sheriff Lindsey Adams Jr. said.

He was camping in the U-haul-like trailer with his brother, Joshua Morris, 24, of Pearl, who was found in a stupor in a nearby bed. Joshua Morris was disoriented and unaware of his brother’s death when the two were discovered the following night, she said. “When we got him outside, he was still asking about his brother,” Eason said.

Joshua Morris was taken to the Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville and treated for carbon monoxide inhalation, Adams said.

Adams said coals had been lit on a grill inside the trailer for warmth. Carbon monoxide is a natural byproduct of fire and becomes toxic by displacing oxygen. Adams said he believes both men fell asleep around 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Justin Morris died during the night.

Eason said she believes health problems including cardiovascular disease, emphysema and hypertension, which were listed on the preliminary autopsy report, contributed to Justin Morris’ death.

The brothers had been in the area deer hunting Saturday before setting up camp. An uncle who was staying at a hunting camp a few miles away in Holly Bluff called Game Warden Jason Dew after calls to the Morris’ phones went unanswered all day Sunday.

“The uncle called the game warden because they hadn’t come in for work,” Eason said.

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Contact Tish Butts at tbutts@vicksburgpost.com