Crescent City police are investigating the death of an unidentified man found in front of Rite Aid on Saturday.

The deceased was found by two local “unhoused people,” Crescent City Police Chief Richard Griffin told the Wild Rivers Outpost. He appeared to be asleep and was tucked away in a sleeping bag near the store. Officers are trying to determine if the man died of natural causes, an overdose or “something else,” Griffin said.

Griffin said he got the call at about 1:38 p.m.

“Out of abundant caution, they’re making sure they’re doing everything — the investigation correctly — and taking time and trying to determine the nature of death,” Griffin told the Outpost. “Some people saw him moving around  earlier, maybe, so we’re interviewing staff and people are on scene.”

According to Griffin, the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office is handling the coroner’s side of the investigation, including trying to determine next of kin. CCPD is also in contact with the Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office in case it is determined to be a homicide, Griffin said.

“We’re proceeding with caution in case it turns into more of an investigation,” he said.

SHARE →