GIFFORD — The decomposing body found in between two lots in Gifford is that of an unidentified male, the Sheriff’s Office said Thursday afternoon. Detectives think the body may have been there 20 to 30 days before it was discovered, though the medical examiner has not yet confirmed.
“We treat everything as suspicious,” Indian River County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jeff Luther said of cases involving bodies. He explained to do otherwise could mean the loss of pertinent evidence.
Luther said the body is definitely male, but investigators could not determine race or identity. The Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death and help identify the decedent.
A lawn service crew made the discovery Wednesday afternoon at a home in the 4800 block of 61st Court.
Luther said the body was found between two lots, one a vacant but wooded property, the other a foreclosed upon home.
Luther said authorities hope to have more information to release at the conclusion of the autopsy.
