(This story has been updated to reflect information from the family’s GoFundMe and a release from the police department on October 17)

CHINA GROVE — The China Grove Police Department is investigating a body found near an abandoned home on Tuesday, October 10 as a suspicious death.

A GoFundMe from the family identified the man as 34-year-old Robert Paul Owens, a China Grove resident.

The GoFundMe said that Owens was found originally by a landscaping employee who believed that he was a mannequin being used for K9 training. A construction foreman found Owens a day later while working on a nearby project and reported it to the police.

The GoFundMe said that Owens was found without any of his clothes or belongings.

“Robert we all love you and miss you dearly. Gone too soon but you will never be forgotten. Your demon you battled here on Earth is over, may you rest in peace bubby I love you,” said the family in the GoFundMe.

According to a release from the department, officers responded to a report of a body found near the home on Shue Road. When officers arrived, the reportedly found the body of a deceased white male. The police department said that there are no signs of foul play in the death but that they are investigating the case as a suspicious death.

A second press release from the China Grove Police Department stated that preliminary autopsy findings ruled out any assault or trauma to Owens’ body. The cause of death was still not available at this time.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the China Grove Police Department at 704-857-2466 or email Detective Frantz at cfrantz@chinagrovenc.gov

The family’s GoFundMe can be found at https://gf.me/v/c/8mv4/all-proceeds-go-to-help-pay-for-funeral-cost.