The death of a man found in woods off Woodcroft Parkway in January was ruled to be an accidental drowning, according to autopsy results released Friday.

<b>DURHAM, N.C.</b> — The death of a man found in woods off Woodcroft Parkway in January was ruled to be an accidental drowning, according to autopsy results released Friday.

Willis Bobbylee Portee, 29, of Durham, was found dead under water in a creek on Jan. 15, the autopsy says. He was reported missing shortly before Christmas, police said.

Anne Johnson

Autopsy: Man found in Durham woods drowned

Monday morning temperatures are still on the colder side in the 40s, but warmer temperatures are on their way this week.

Warmer temps on the way this week

Central North Carolina under a dense fog advisory until 7 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.

Police launched a crime investigation at a Rocky Mount hotel late Sunday night.

Police launch crime investigation at Rocky Mount hotel

Students are heading back to class Monday morning, following a series of threats that forced lockdowns at six schools in Wake County last week.

Wake County students head back to school after 6 code red lockdowns last week

Students walking down hallway

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkey and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 1,300 people. Hundreds were still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area.

Powerful quake rocks Turkey and Syria, kills more than 1,300

turkey_earthquake

Durham police did not release the name of the man who died or provide information about possible suspects.

Man dies after Durham shooting, police investigating

Deadly shooting on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Durham.

Breaking news on a crime investigation in Rocky Mount. Police have been at the Executive Inn hotel for nearly six hours. 

Police investigation at Rocky Mount hotel

Students are headed back to class this morning following a series of threats that forced lockdowns at six schools in Wake County. 

Students return to class in Wake County for first time since lockdowns

Get the latest WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast whenever you need it, including the DUALDoppler5000 and the 7-Day Forecast.

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Nightly N.C. Education Lottery drawings during the 11 p.m. News.

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

In North Carolina, a major labor shortage is underway from restaurant staff to school bus drivers. 5 On Your Side examines what caused it, and the five factors making it harder to find employees.

5 On Your Side looks at the factors causing a major worker shortage in North Carolina

5 On Your Side

Videos

Taylor Thimmesh is ranked Grand Champion II in Rocket League (described as soccer but with rocket powered-cars as players) and he's believed to be the first esports player in North Carolina to sign a licensing deal with an agency.

Rocketman: JCC student's Rocket League dominance makes him state's 1st to sign NIL deal

JCC student Taylor Thimmesh is climbing the esports ladder

Ejiro Evero's marks new Panthers head coach Frank Reich's first official addition to his coaching staff.

Carolina Panthers hire Ejiro Evero as defensive coordinator

Carolina Panthers Logo

The car owned by a missing 74-year-old Florida Lyft driver was found in North Carolina and the man who was driving it is wanted in connection with a homicide last week in southwest Florida, authorities said Friday.

Missing Florida Lyft driver's car found with slaying suspect

Missing_Lyft_Driver-Florida_28663

China on Monday accused the United States of indiscriminate use of force in shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, saying it “seriously impacted and damaged both sides’ efforts and progress in stabilizing Sino-U.S. relations.”

Autopsy: Man found in Durham woods drowned

More On This

Body found in Durham woods identified

Body found in Durham woods

• Credits

Top Stories

Warmer temps on the way this week

Police launch crime investigation at Rocky Mount hotel

Wake County students head back to school after 6 code red lockdowns last week

Powerful quake rocks Turkey and Syria, kills more than 1,300

Man dies after Durham shooting, police investigating

Videos

Police investigation at Rocky Mount hotel

Students return to class in Wake County for first time since lockdowns

WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast

Evening Pick 3 Pick 4 and Cash 5

5 On Your Side looks at the factors causing a major worker shortage in North Carolina

Trending

Rocketman: JCC student's Rocket League dominance makes him state's 1st to sign NIL deal

Carolina Panthers hire Ejiro Evero as defensive coordinator

Missing Florida Lyft driver's car found with slaying suspect

China accuses US of indiscriminate use of force over balloon

Police launch crime investigation at Rocky Mount hotel