Police are making progress in the homicide investigation of Benjamin Lee Hoffman II, whose body was found in the Swannanoa River Oct. 18. Police executed a search arrant Oct. 28 and collected what they describe as a key piece of evidence detectives believe will clear or support the allegation of a person of interest. Forensic analysis of the item is currently being performed. The 44-year-old Hoffman was found in the river near Azalea Road three days after he was reported missing. He was last seen Sept. 17, according to police. No information about his cause of death has been released.