Man found by railroad tracks in Black Mountain identified

Local law enforcement officials identified the body of the man found on the train tracks a couple of hundred yards away from the Black Mountain Avenue crossing as Gregory Duncan Stiles, 51, of Black Mountain.

The investigation into Stiles’ death is still ongoing; investigators do not believe foul play was involved, according to Black Mountain police chief Shawn Freeman.

The department received a call from railroad company Norfolk Southern just after 7 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 20 alerting officers to a possible body on the tracks.

Minutes later officers arrived at the scene, via Black Mountain Avenue, and located the body of Stiles.

Stiles was a resident of Black Mountain and a native of Montgomery, Alabama, according to an obituary listing submitted to The Black Mountain News.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years and three young children.

Stiles was a chief project manager for the firm of COWI Bridge Design, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

He also served as a deacon at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church.

A celebration of life will be held in honor of Stiles at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church.