PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — A man was found dead in a canal off US-41 in Port Charlotte Thursday morning, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.
The body was discovered face down in the water in an area between Easy Street and Conway Boulevard, next to US-41, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies taped off the scene as detectives investigated below the overpass.
Watch Fox 4's Alex Orenczuk report on the death investigation:
"This morning, our deputies are out here, our major crimes detectives are investigating a death investigation," said Chris Hall, Public Information Officer for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.. "A male body was found in the water in the canal here."
Investigators have identified the man but are still working to contact his next of kin. The sheriff's office does not suspect foul play.
"Does not appear to be suspicious at this time, but of course, it is an active investigation, and anything can happen," Hall said.
Investigators noted that the area near the canal and under the overpass is a common location for unhoused people to stay.
"As you know we have a large homeless population in Charlotte County, some by choice, some by necessity, and this is one of the areas where they're known to locate and kind of hang about," Hall said.
The sheriff's office encourages anyone experiencing homelessness or who knows someone who is to contact their non-emergency line at (941) 639-2101 to be connected with available resources.
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