The death of a man found on Thursday in the backyard of a Port Arthur home does not appear to be due to foul play, officials said.

Port Arthur Police Det. Sadie Guedry said investigators do not suspect foul play but the case is under investigation.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, she said.

Jefferson County Precinct 7 Justice of the Peace Brad Burnett also said the death does not appear to be due to foul play but has ordered an autopsy. He expects the autopsy to be performed on Friday.

Burnett said the male was face down when found in the backyard of a residence.

PAPD responded to the scene about 10:15 a.m. Thursday in the 2200 block of Gulfway Drive near the intersection with Bluebonnet Avenue.

About I.C. Murrell

I.C. Murrell was promoted to editor of The News, effective Oct. 14, 2019. He previously served as sports editor since August 2015 and has won or shared eight first-place awards from state newspaper associations and corporations. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up mostly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

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