Police investigating ‘suspicious death’ near downtown Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Police on Monday morning were investigating the discovery of a body behind a house near downtown Topeka as a “suspicious death.”

The discovery was reported at 9:58 a.m. Monday in the 200 block of S.W. Harrison, immediately west of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Police at the scene didn’t say whether foul play was suspected in the person’s death.

However, police officials late Monday morning said the incident was being investigated as a “suspicious death.”

The deceased individual had been identified only as a male as of noon Monday.

Yellow crime-scene tape had been placed by 10:15 a.m. Monday around a blue house at 232 S.W. Harrison.

The crime-scene tape later was extended to the residence just south of the house at 232 S.W. Harrison. The second house was located at the northeast corner of S.W. 3rd and Harrison.

Several Topeka police units were on the scene shortly after 10 a.m.

All but two of those units had left the scene by around 10:40 a.m.

However, around 11:15 a.m., a couple of other police units arrived on the scene.

Detectives could be seen investigating an area in the front yard of the residence at the northeast corner of S.W. 3rd and Harrison.

Officials said police received information Monday morning that a deceased person was in the area of S.W. 3rd and Harrison.

Police officials said that detectives acted on the information and located a deceased male in the 200 block of S.W. Harrison.

Initial reports indicated the body was located behind a residence.

The deceased individual won’t be identified until next of kin notifications have been made, police officials said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information may call Topeka police detectives at 785-368-9400 or may email telltpd@topeka.org.

Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. Anonymous tips also can be made online at www.p3tips.com/128.

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