South Portland police are investigating the discovery of a man’s body along the Fore River on Tuesday afternoon.

The body was found on the shore at the end of Buttonwood Road, in an area just north of the Casco Bay Bridge, police said.

South Portland police say they will work with the state medical examiner to determine the manner of death and the person’s identity so family members can be notified.

“Like any death, we’re treating it with suspicious protocols like it could be a homicide until it’s determined otherwise,” said Lt. Frank Clark. However, he said, there was nothing to indicate any crime.

Witnesses said the body was dressed in gray and white skate sneakers, cargo pants and possibly a sweatshirt and jacket. It appeared to have washed up on shore, because the clothing was soaked and had seaweed on it, said Chris Hoy, who lives in the area.

Police and possibly a coroner gathered around the body on a rock-strewn area of shore at the base of a steep, wooded hillside not far from the city’s Green Belt.

State police detectives are assisting South Portland police, but it is still a South Portland case.

Police were called by a passer-by who spotted the body about 3 p.m.


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