Body found inside vehicle parked at Downriver Meijer

LINCOLN PARK (WWJ) - Questions swirl after a man's body was found by a Meijer loss prevention team in Lincoln Park earlier this week when they went to check out a vehicle sitting in their parking lot for days on end.

Lincoln Park Police Department told the News Herald that they weren't exactly sure how long the man had been deceased before he was found inside the vehicle at the Meijer located at 3710 Dix Highway on March 24.

Deputy Police Chief Patrick Culter said the department was notified by Meijer loss prevention around 10:30 a.m. and officers responded to the store. No drugs or signs of foul play were detected when police searched the vehicle.

Employees told investigators that the vehicle -- which security had seen in the parking lot on prior occasions -- caught their attention after they noticed it sitting in their parking lot for quite some time.

An official cause of death is pending an autopsy report -- results could take eight to 12 weeks for police to get.

Culter said they believe the victim is from Downriver, but they're unsure which city.

The investigation is on hold while autopsy results are pending. Culter said if there is anything indicating that the man did not die of natural causes, detectives will pick up the case.

No other information was released.