Body in Keizer May be Transient

Investigators have not classified this as a suspicious death, but they say criminal acts have not been ruled out.

Salem-News.com

(KEIZER, Ore.) - Keizer Police officers are investigating a dead body that was discovered around 1:30 PM in the 3500 block of Cherry Avenue NE today. Police Spokesman Jeff Kuhns says Salem Police were initially called out to investigate, but the case was handed over after it was determined that the location was actually Keizer.

Kuhns says the body was discovered by a citizen who was in this area walking her dog.

"This location is on the east side of Cherry Avenue approximately fifty yards north of an Oregon Department of Human Resources office building. The body was discovered adjacent to a parking lot in part of what appears to be an undeveloped lot."

The deceased subject is that of a white male who is approximately forty-five to fifty-five years old. Investigators believe he is a transient who was known by police to frequent this area; however no positive identification has been made at this time.

"Investigators have not classified this as a suspicious death, but criminal acts have not been ruled out. A thorough investigation is underway with investigators processing the scene for physical evidence."

The Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Marion County District Attorney’s Office were notified of the incident and they have responded to assist. The deceased subject was removed from the scene at about 5:45 PM.

Kuhns says more will be known about the deceased subject’s identity and manner of death after an autopsy is performed. The autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Clackamas. Additional information may be released after positive identification is made, next of kin are notified, and the cause of death is known.