Watch CBS News

Neighbors Smelled Odor Coming From Building Where Man's Body Found Wrapped In Tarp

Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook Twitter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A death investigation is underway after a man's body was found wrapped in a plastic tarp inside a home in the city's Fairmount neighborhood. The evidence police found at the crime scene may shed light on how the victim died as neighbors say they've been smelling a foul odor coming from the building for a few days.

The owner of the building found the man's body inside a second-floor apartment at 1919 Mount Vernon St., just after 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Bacon Is Bad For Your Mental Health, Say Researchers

"The first question is what's going on? Then you see the Crime Scene Unit and, yes, it's unsettling," said neighbor Bob Weick.

Weick lives across the street. He says contractors have been doing work on the building. Homicide detectives say drug paraphernalia was found in the room.

Police: Woman Reports Man Dressed Like Ninja, Holding Shotgun Burglarized Her Home

"We don't know his age. We don't know his manner of death other than it's clearly under suspicious circumstances," said Philadelphia Police Capt. John Ryan.

WATCH LIVE: Philadelphia Police Department official gives update on body found wrapped in plastic inside Fairmount home. DETAILS: https://cbsloc.al/2uKFp87

Posted by CBS Philly on Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Neighbors tell Eyewitness News the building is split into three apartments and several smelled an odor coming from the building a few days ago. A post office employee says he picked up an odor on Saturday.

"I've been thinking about this and I believe possibly 30 years ago there was a similar instance, but it was a very different neighborhood then," said a woman who has been living next door for 40 years.

Kentucky Boy, 9, Saves Younger Brother From Burning Car

Another neighbor said two men lived in the apartment. Police are now speaking to neighbors and friends of the deceased, hoping it will lead to answers.

"We don't think it's a random thing. The person in the tarp does have some ties to the building," said Ryan.

Police are hoping for tips on when the man died, how he died and who put him in the tarp.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.