Police investigating ‘suspicious’ death of man found along rural road in Indiana County

Paul Peirce | Friday, January 22, 2021 9:53 a.m.

State police in Greensburg and Indiana labelled the death of a man whose body was discovered Thursday afternoon along a rural road in Indiana County as “suspicious.”

Trooper Cliff Greenfield said the man’s body was discovered along Mulligan Hill Road in West Wheatfield Township, near Indiana County’s border with Westmoreland County.

Greenfield said the discovery was made by a PennDOT worker who said he discovered the body in a grassy area off of the roadway. There was no indication how long the body was there.

“At the time of the discovery, the PennDOT employee was on duty and was inspecting a nearby drain along Mulligan Hill Road,” Greenfield said.

Troopers immediately responded to the scene and confirmed the discovery. Indiana County Coroner Jerry L. Overman, Jr. pronounced the victim deceased at the scene, police said.

The identity of the victim, an adult male, is pending notification of next-of-kin, according to Greenfield. An autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death will be conducted at ForensicDX, Windber.

“Based upon evidence discovered at the scene, troopers believe the victim’s death to be suspicious in nature. In an effort to preserve the integrity of this active investigation, additional information will not be released at this time,” Greenfield said.

In addition to state troopers, investigators from the Indiana County District Attorney’s office and Johnstown Police are assisting, Greensfield said.

Anyone with information, including anyone who may have witnessed recent suspicious or unusual activity in the area, is asked to call state police at 724-357-1960.