Body found next to Starbucks’ dumpster in downtown Fresno

Fresno homicide detectives are investigating a body found next to a dumpster at a Starbucks’ shop in downtown Fresno Tuesday afternoon.

Police are unsure if the man, who appeared to be between 35 and 45 years old, committed suicide, was a homicide victim or died in some other fashion, according to Lt. Joe Gomez.

A worker at the coffee shop at Fresno and U streets made the gruesome discovery when he was taking out trash about 2:39 p.m. Gomez said that the worker found the body near the dumpster after he almost stepped on the man; at first thought the person was asleep. When the worker determined that the man was deceased, police were called.

The man’s face appeared to have sustained trauma and there was blood, Gomez said. In addition, the victim had a belt around his neck.

This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Body found next to Starbucks’ dumpster in downtown Fresno."