Harvard biologist's death was accidental, medical examiner says

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A Harvard University biologist whose body was found in the Mississippi River last month died accidentally in a fall from a bridge, the Shelby County medical examiner said Sunday.<br> <br> Don Wiley, 57, fell from the Hernando DeSoto Bridge after a minor motor vehicle accident there, Medical Examiner O.C. Smith said.<br> <br> Wiley had been missing since Nov. 16, when his rental car was found abandoned on the bridge with the keys in the ignition.<br> <br> The body was discovered Dec. 20 snagged on a tree near a hydroelectric plant at Vidalia, La., about 300 miles south of Memphis. A wallet containing Wiley&#39;s identification was found on the body, which was identified through dental records, police said.<br> <br> No evidence of foul play was found in the car.<br> <br> A woman who answered the telephone Sunday night at the medical examiner&#39;s office said she did not have access to the report and told an Associated Press reporter to call back Monday for elaboration.<br> <br> Wiley had been in Memphis for a scientific conference hosted by St. Jude Children&#39;s Research Hospital. He was last seen publicly at a conference banquet.<br> <br> Wiley&#39;s disappearance had raised concerns about a possible terrorist connection because he had done research on a number of potentially deadly viruses, including Ebola, a highly contagious and lethal fever.<br> <br> The FBI said it was leaving the investigation to the Memphis police. Authorities have disclosed no evidence of connection between Wiley&#39;s work and his disappearance.<br> <br> Scientific organizations, including St. Jude, posted rewards totaling $26,000 for information leading to the &#34;arrest and charge&#34; of anyone responsible for Wiley&#39;s disappearance. <br> <br>