A Buford man reported missing by his family early last month drowned not far from where he ran from police, according to the Gwinnett Medical Examiner’s Office.

The body of 42-year-old Stanley Scott “Scotty” Maddox was discovered by family members Saturday in Sudderth Creek in Buford.  He was last seen March 3 after leading police on a chase following a drug deal.

“One vehicle stayed, the other vehicle took off crashing into one of our patrol cars; a short pursuit took place right after that and they lost sight of the vehicle,” says Cpl. Ed Ritter.  “That driver was subsequently identified as Stanley Maddox.

"Family members initially thought Maddox had been shot by police during the chase, but autopsy results reveal to no gunshot wounds or other trauma was found on the body.

While Ritter says there is no information to suggest foul play, Maddox’s wife Julie Puckett believes otherwise.

“I can’t say who may have done it, but he didn’t drowned by himself,” she tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

The body was found in a creek bed in water between three to four feet deep.  But Dr. Carol Terry, Gwinnett’s Chief Medical Examiner, says the creek could have been swollen at the time Maddox drowned.

For now, Ritter says the investigation remains open.

The family says a memorial fund in the name of Stanley S. Maddox has been set up to help with funeral expenses at any Wells Fargo branch.