Body found in canal in Central Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno County dive team has recovered a body in a Central Fresno canal. The body was discovered in the water near McKinley and Millbrook.

According to the Fresno Fire Department, city irrigation workers were working at the canal on Monday when they found a man beneath the water.

The eastbound lane of McKinley Avenue, between Millbrook and First, was closed due to the investigation, it has since been reopened.

The cause of death is unknown, but homicide Detectives were at the scene taking water samples.

Authorities said irrigation workers go to the canal every day to clean the strainer and to remove debris. They didn't see anything in the water on Sunday, but then Monday, around 2:00 p.m., they found the body. Firefighters said that leads them to believe the victim hasn't been here for very long.

Fresno police said they are searching through missing person's reports to see if the victim matches anyone.

Authorities also said that the strainer is the only one for miles, so it is very likely that the body could have traveled for several miles before ending up at that location.