Probe Of Dead Body Found In New Bedford Backyard

Police are investigating the death of a man who was found lying unconscious in the backyard of a New Bedford home.

Authorities say the man is believed to be his mid-20s and had no identification papers on him Saturday morning.

Police received an emergency call from residents of the Bates Street home shortly after 7:30 a.m. regarding an unresponsive man lying in the backyard.

A spokesman for Bristol County District Attorney Samuel Sutter says police and paramedics responding to the scene discovered the victim was already dead.

The state medical examiner will take the body Saturday to conduct an autopsy that will determine the manner and cause of death.

Authorities declined to release additional details to avoid jeopardizing the ongoing investigation.