Man's body found in drainage ditch in northeast Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man's body was found in shallow water in northeast Houston Sunday afternoon.

A woman walking by the area spotted the body along Cavalcade near Hoffman. She thought she spotted a submerged mannequin in a drainage ditch but after a second look she realized that it was a man's unclothed body and called 911.

HPD was called to the scene and a dive team made the shallow water recovery and it's not yet known whether his death was accidental, from health reasons or if someone took his life.

Houston homicide detective said the body is that of an African-American man, in his 30s or 40s. The body showed no obvious signs of trauma.

The man may of been in the water for the past day. The body was nude. The detective says in such cases it's not unusual for clothing to be pulled away, depending on the force of the current.

For now the man's identity remains unknown. The Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy.