A body found adjacent to the 405 Freeway has prompted a criminal investigation with “possible foul play” involved, according to authorities.
California Highway Patrol Officer Larsen confirmed to KTLA that a call came out near the 405 and Manhattan Beach Boulevard in the city of Lawndale at 3:38 a.m. Tuesday.
The body was found adjacent to the southbound span but not in the freeway lanes, Larsen stated. L.A. County Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced the individual deceased at the scene at 3:52 a.m.
“The Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene for possible foul play,” Larsen elaborated. “They are treating this as a crime scene, not a traffic collision.”
Video from the scene captured by KTLA shows a CHP officer investigating where the body was found behind a building off Condon Avenue, which is parallel to the freeway. A tent was also seen in the area, although whether it is connected to the investigation is not known.
The medical examiner’s probe was initially paused for the criminal investigation, law enforcement officials said.
In an update provided to KTLA just before 10 a.m. Tuesday, a CHP spokesperson stated that the decedent is an adult man who was found in an encampment next to the freeway. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The death was deemed “suspicious” and as of the time the update was provided, the Major Crimes Unit was still at the scene interviewing potential witnesses.
Nancy Fontan, Sofia Pop Perez and KTLA photojournalist Dan Lunsford contributed to this report.