By David Hamilton

NATCHEZ — The family of a Wilkinson County man found dead in his residence Saturday believes the victim was brutally murdered.

The Woodville Republican newspaper reported Wednesday that a relative found C.J. Smith, 74, dead in the living room of his mobile home on Smith Road near Doloroso.

Family members of the deceased gave a description of the sanguine scene Thursday.

“All over the wall you could see the blood splattered, and you could see his hair,” Smith’s niece Debra Plater said.

The newspaper also reported that the Wilkinson County Coroner is awaiting autopsy results and the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.

Family members expressed concern Thursday with the sheriff’s investigation.

Marcel Smith, the son of C.J. Smith, said he is convinced his father was murdered.

“You could tell by the blood on the walls,” Smith said. “That’s a cold-blooded beating.”

The whole family agrees, Plater said.

“We all know he was murdered,” Plater said.

Calls to the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office and Wilkinson County Coroner’s office were not returned Thursday.