One month ago on April 23 the body of Selma resident Frederick Callens, 28, was recovered from a creek bed beneath a train trestle near L.L. Anderson Avenue, after being reported missing several days earlier.

Authorities on the scene said due to the condition of the body, it appeared Callens could have been out there for any number of days.

Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley said the preliminary autopsy report shows there is no indication of anyone pushing Callens from the tracks or any signs of foul play.

“Right now there doesn’t appear to be any signs of foul play from what we’re getting,” Riley said. “We’re leaning, right now, towards an accident; he could have accidentally lost his footing. But right now we’ve seen no indication of any foul play, but of course it’s preliminary and we’re waiting on the final report from the autopsy.”

Riley said it’s up to the medical examiner as to when the department will receive the full autopsy report.

Authorities began searching for Callens around the train trestle because it was an area he frequently walked — something they noted is dangerous, but not uncommon for some area residents.

“It’s just not safe. We do not recommend anyone walking down the train tracks, because it’s just not safe,” Riley said. “You can get caught out there and you have nowhere to go when the train’s coming. It’s just not a safe thing to do. I know some people use it for a shortcut getting from one end of the city to another, but we would ask that people not do that, because it’s just not safe.”

Riley said another reason residents should stay off of the tracks is because they are private property belonging to the railroad company.