PROCTORVILLE — Almost a month after the body of a missing Proctorville man was recovered, the investigation into his murder remains active, Sheriff Jeff Lawless says.

On May 20, the body of James Alan Lawson was found in the Ohio River near Glenwood in Mason County, W.Va. Lawson had been reported missing by his ex-wife Paula Lawson since April 28, when he left their home to check on rental property he owned in Ironton.

Paula Lawson told authorities she did not hear from Lawson after he left Proctorville that day.

The body was taken to the West Virginia Medical Examiner’s office for identification. On June 4, the medical examiner confirmed the body was Lawson’s.

Lawless confirmed the death was a homicide but declined then to give a cause.

Earlier in May the 1999 blue Ford Taurus Lawson had been driving on the day he disappeared was found in the 1900 block of James River Road in Huntington, W.Va., by Huntington Police Department. It had been left in the parking lot of a ball field. The car was searched by Lawrence County Sheriff’s detectives who found no signs of foul play.

Lawrence County detectives joined forces with West Virginia authorities in the investigation.

“Huntington Police Department met with the county investigators yesterday,” Lawless said on Wednesday. “There is nothing to report. It is still up in the air as they piece it together.”

The sheriff again declined to give a cause of death, motive or name any suspects.