FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. — Authorities now say a man whose body was found on the side of the road in Franklin County last week was murdered.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office says 30-year-old Travis Pannell of Halifax died of gunshot wounds and they are investigating his death as a homicide.

Pannell’s body was found on the side of Jubal Early Highway on Thursday, October 24. Police said at the time that the death was suspicious but that they were awaiting autopsy results from the State Medical Examiner.

Sheriff’s investigators say Pannell was reported missing in Roanoke on October 8. He was last seen alive at a party four days earlier.

At this time, authorities say there does not appear to be any threat to those living in the area.

Anyone with information on the death is asked to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.