Coroner identifies body found near Waveland pier as Mississippi Coast man
Key Takeaways
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Authorities identified the body as 71-year-old John Bickner of Bay St. Louis.
- Police reviewed video showing Bickner voluntarily entering water on Monday.
- Coroner reported no evidence of foul play in the death near Waveland pier.
Hancock County authorities have identified a man whose body was found this week near the beach in Waveland.
John Bickner, 71, of Bay St. Louis, died on Monday, Hancock County Coroner Jeff Hair said.
His cause of death was unclear. Hair said authorities found no signs of foul play.
Police said officers recovered Bickner’s body after 5 p.m., when a group of people fishing at the Garfield Ladner Pier saw him in the water. Video footage reviewed by police showed Bickner walking into the water earlier on Monday, Hair said.
This story was originally published July 8, 2025 at 2:08 PM.