The Chilton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 81-year-old peach farmer who was found dead Friday afternoon in his yard.

Raymond Cooedy’s body was discovered around dusk by his brother, Willie Cooedy, outside his home on County Road 412, a dirt road that runs off County Road 75.

Cooedy’s cause of death remains unknown, Sheriff Kevin Davis said late Friday night. An autopsy will be performed, perhaps as early as Saturday.

“The autopsy will give us more information,” Davis said.

As of Friday night, the case has been classified as a death investigation. Davis said Cooedy did appear to have some bodily injuries, and all possible causes of death are being looked into.

“With any death investigation, we investigate it to the fullest,” he said.

Between 5 and 6 p.m., Chilton County 911 received a call about a person down in their yard, Davis said. When medics arrived they determined Cooedy had died.

The sheriff describe Cooedy has a hard worker and the salt of the earth.

“Mr. Cooedy has been a Chilton County peach farmer his entire adult life,” Davis said. “He’s well known in this part of Chilton County. He was a hard worker — (the kind) that makes Chilton County what it is. Our hearts are heavy for the Cooedy family.”

Cooedy lived my himself in the home, according to Davis. In addition to peaches, he has grew several other crops, including tomatoes, corn and turnip greens.

The Clanton Advertiser will post updates on this developing story as they are available.