Deputies now investigating suspicious death as a homicide in Madera County

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Madera County Sheriff's Office is now investigating a suspicious death in the area of La Vina as a homicide.

Just after 9 a.m. Sunday, the Madera County Sheriff's Office received a report of a dead adult male at a migrant labor community on Avenue 9 and Road 24.

Deputies say there is evidence that the death was not natural or accidental.

A man was brought in for further questioning and investigators say he may be a suspect.

"People were trying to get a hold of him last evening and could not, and they were trying to get a hold of him this morning and could not and that's when some other residents started looking for him and found him," said Madera County Sheriff's Commander, Bill Ward.

25 to 30 people live in this community. Investigators are interviewing the people within the area and authorities said they are being cooperative with the investigation.

Overnight weather may have destroyed evidence, making it difficult to determine what led to the man's death.

Action News spoke to several residents off-camera. They say it's a peaceful area. This marks the third homicide in the neighborhood.

"We had a few a while back, earlier this year, two out here. But yeah, it's pretty unusual. Normally it's kind of rare for those things to happen here," said Ward.

It is also the fourth homicide of the year in Madera County.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Madera County Sheriff's Office at (559) 675-7770.

Stay with ABC30 for the latest details on this developing story.

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