Authorities: Man found in rest stop trash container killed himself

Benson, N.C. — The Johnston County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday determined that a man whose body was found Tuesday in a trash container off Interstate 40 had killed himself.

The body of Randal Ray Rockwell, 59, of Clermont, Fla., was found in a trash bin 3 miles north of Benson near an I-40 rest stop. An autopsy conducted Wednesday showed he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

The westbound portion of the rest area was closed for a time Tuesday night as Johnston County deputies and State Bureau of Investigation agents combed the scene for evidence.

The rest area attendant who discovered the body declined to comment Wednesday, but another attendant said authorities towed a car with Florida license plates from the rest area late Tuesday.

Authorities haven't disclosed whether a gun was found in the trash bin.