Body found in rural Fresno County investigated as questionable death

Fresno County sheriff’s detectives began work Friday to identify a man who was found dead in rural Fresno County near a vineyard.

People working in the area of Orange Avenue just north of Nebraska Avenue saw the man on the side of the road about 2:30 p.m. They believed he was injured and reported it to authorities, Fresno County Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said.

Fresno County firefighters responded to the area, between Selma and Caruthers, and learned the man was dead, prompting the sheriff’s office detectives and crime scene unit to respond. It is being investigated as a questionable death.

The man had no visible signs of trauma to his body, Botti said. He was described as a white or Hispanic man in his 40s to 50s. He was found wearing a sweatshirt, pants and sneakers, Botti said.

Detectives are working to establish a timeline to learn how the man ended up on the side of the road. They’re also talking to people in the area to see if they’re familiar with the man.

The coroner’s office will work to determine the man’s identity and cause of death.

This story was originally published November 3, 2017 at 3:42 PM with the headline "Body found in rural Fresno County investigated as questionable death."