NORFOLK, Va. – The body of a man found dead inside a vehicle in a Norfolk shopping center on Monday has been identified as a Navy Sailor who was last seen July 19.
Nickolas Atkinson was stationed on the USS Mitscher at Naval Station Norfolk. He posted a cryptic message to his Facebook page on the morning of July 19 that said, “Good bye… I can’t do this any more.”
Family members were unable to reach Nickolas after he made the post and reported that he had deactivated his cell phone. They shared fliers online in the hopes of finding him.
On Monday, Nickolas’ car was found with a body inside at a shopping center on Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk, not far from the base.
Norfolk Police confirmed Wednesday morning that it was Nickolas’ body.
NCIS had been looking into his case and had classified Atkinson’s status as an unauthorized absence. However, they said foul play was not suspected.
The Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet confirmed a cause or manner of death.
RELATED:
Police investigate suspicious death after man’s body found in car near Norfolk shopping center
