COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia Police are investigating after a body was found behind a Food Lion grocery store in northern Richland County.
Deputy Chief Melron Kelly told News19 the remains were found Thursday afternoon by someone passing by a wooded area behind the store. The body was discovered along a footpath that goes down back to Ashley Street and eventually to a dry creek bed.
Kelly said the body was in an advanced state of decomposition.
Investigators said Friday the man they found was between the ages of 65 and 75 years old and that the death is being investigated as suspicious. That term is used by law enforcement when no one can be found who witnesses a person's death. However, investigators do not believe the public is at risk.
The Richland County Coroner's Office is investigating the death as well.