UPDATE: The body of a man found this morning in the hill area behind the AM/PM at 4190 South Carson Street likely died of exposure to the cold weather, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene at around 11:25 a.m. after a caller phoned dispatch saying there was a man behind the store who wasn't moving. Foul play isn't suspected, said Furlong. A coroner and detectives were also investigating.
The man, believed to be 53 years of age, and a homeless transient, likely died to exposure of extreme cold weather conditions. There wasn't any indication the man died of traumatic injury, said Furlong.
The area where the man was found is known to be a place where the homeless have encampments. The sheriff's office has been informed that facilities for the homeless have been filling up to capacity over the past two nights, said Furlong.
"The services are filling fast and this is the challenge," said Furlong. "Where can these people go in these dreadfully cold temperatures? When these temperatures drop and when you factor in the influence of alcohol you create a dangerous circumstance like this one today. The body can succumb to the cold very very quickly."
Furlong advises those who are homeless to get in contact with service organizations such as FISH (775-882-FISH (3474) and Ron Wood Family Resource Center (775 884-2269) and not to drink alcohol.