Updated: Body found in ditch being investigated as suspicious death

Updated 3:45 p.m.: A body found lying in a ditch near Haysville on Monday afternoon is being investigated as a suspicious death.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the body or why it was in the ditch to call Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office investigators at 316-660-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Lt. Tim Myers, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, said the body belongs to a man. He didn’t know his age or where the man is from. It was unclear how the man died or whether the body showed any visible signs of trauma.

“We’re investigating this as a suspicious death,” Myers said.

A passerby saw the body near 81st Street South and Hydraulic and called authorities shortly after 2 p.m., Myers said. Further information, including the man’s name, was not immediately released.

Original story: Authorities are asking motorists to avoid 81st Street South and Hydraulic while they investigate a body discovered in the area.

The body was found by someone who notified 911 at 2:08 p.m. Monday, according to information from a Sedgwick County dispatch supervisor. The age and gender of the dead person was not immediately known. It was not immediately clear how he or she died.

The Sheriff’s Office tweeted at 2:46 p.m. Monday, asking people to stay away from the area. The location is south and east of Haysville.

“We are working an active crime scene at 81st Street South and Hydraulic in Sedgwick County,” the tweet said. “Please avoid the area!”

This is a developing news situation. Please check back with Kansas.com for more information as it becomes available.

This story was originally published January 29, 2018 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Updated: Body found in ditch being investigated as suspicious death."