FRANKLIN COUNTY — An autopsy is planned for today on a decomposed body that was found Saturday near the old Ben Coal Number 9 mine in West Frankfort.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office says that the body had been there for some time.

Witnesses said Franklin County sheriff’s deputies cut through a locked gate to get into the area near the mine entrance Saturday morning

The sheriff’s office along with the Franklin County Coroner’s Office and Illinois State Police are investigating.