MERIDIAN — A preliminary autopsy report Clay County authorities are eagerly awaiting has not been issued as yet in the death of a Meridian man whose body was discovered in a creek last week. Clay County Coroner, Alvin Carter, said the last contact he had with officials with the Mississippi State Crime Lab indicated technicians there were doing additional tests to try and determine the exact cause of death. The body of Alex Sims, 28, was found July 18 in Catalpa Creek near the rural community of Tibbee in Clay County. According to reports, fishermen found the body floating in the creek around 11:30 a.m. and immediately notified Clay County law enforcement authorities. Sims was reported missing to Meridian Police Department authorities on July 15. Sims was last seen at his home on 64th Avenue earlier on July 15. Family members positively identified the body July 20. Sims' vehicle has not been located. Carter said Sims' body was thought to have been in the water for three to five days before it was discovered.