LOUDON COUNTY (WATE) Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers discovered a body Saturday morning alongside I-75 in Loudon County, according to a press release.

The Loudon County Sheriff's Office responded to the call at 11:29 a.m. on I-75 southbound at mile marker 69.

The body appears to be that of a white man in his late 30's. While positive identification can't be done at this time, preliminary details indicate that this is likely the body of a man reported missing out of Knox County several weeks ago.

Loudon County Detectives have been in contact with Investigators from the Knoxville Police Department where the initial missing person report was filed.

The body has been transported to the Knox County Regional Forensics Center for an autops.

 The name of the missing male is being withheld until the autopsy has been performed and notification of next-of-kin has been formally made.

UPDATE:

Loudon Co. detectives confirm the body found on I-75 is that of missing Knoxville man

PHILADELPHIA, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper found a body alongside Interstate 75 in Loudon County Saturday morning.

According to LCSO, a body was discovered on Saturday morning by a THP Trooper who was assisting in locating the missing man and had received information that his vehicle was last seen in the area of the 69 mile marker of I-75.

The body has been identified as 36-year-old Stephen Michael Worthington of Knoxville.

“Following the autopsy, our detectives were able to confirm that the body discovered yesterday is that of missing Knoxville resident Stephen Michael Worthington, 36 years of age” said Sheriff Guider.

LCSO Detectives say that no foul play is suspected.

ORIGINAL:

According to the sheriff's office, the body was discovered at 11:29 a.m. in Philadelphia along the southbound lanes of I-75 near mile marker 69.

The Loudon County Sheriff's Office said the patrol division and criminal investigation division responded to secure the scene and investigate.

Investigators said the body appears to be a while male in his mid to late thirties. They said preliminary details show the body could be that of a man reported missing out of Knox County several weeks ago.

The body was taken to the Knox County Regional Forensics Center for an autopsy. Investigators said they would then be able to make a positive identification.

The name of the missing man is not being released at this time.