Maine State Police and Augusta police detectives continued their investigation Saturday into the slaying of an Augusta man whose body was found in his Eastern Avenue home Thursday night.

Michael A. Roderick, 52, was found about 7 p.m. by a friend who came to visit him, said Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety. Officials have said they believe Roderick was killed that day.

Detectives were at the scene until 3 a.m. Friday, then returned five hours later. They went back to the scene early Saturday, McCausland said.

Law enforcement officials withheld further details about the case, including the cause of death, pending their ongoing investigation. An autopsy was performed Friday morning by the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

Police haven’t named a suspect nor made an arrest.

”Detectives are back on the scene right now, ” McCausland said Saturday morning. ”We don’t have any new information to release. We’re still doing follow-up.”

Roderick, who lived in the Eastern Avenue home for more than 25 years, was described as friendly and polite by friends and neighbors. Many said they were stunned to hear of the killing.

Disabled after a fall at work in 1981, Roderick lived alone, according to police. He divorced his wife in 1995.

Roderick’s mother, Rita Roderick, declined to comment by phone Saturday when contacted by a reporter.

Michael Roderick’s death is the third reported homicide in Augusta in 2008.