Fairbanks

Manley resident found dead in downtown Fairbanks park

A man's body was found in downtown Fairbanks Tuesday morning, with no foul play suspected in his death.

Fairbanks police Lt. Dan Welborn said Wednesday morning that 25-year-old Peter Lee James was discovered in a northern area of Golden Heart Park by someone walking a dog, who called 911 at about 11:15 a.m. Tuesday.

"The (caller) saw a man slumped over a table that he thought was deceased," Welborn said. "Officers responded and confirmed that the man was deceased."

Police were able to locate James' next of kin, who responded to the scene.

No signs of trauma were found on James, Welborn said, but police are still looking into what happened.

"We're going to send that up to our investigators, like we do with all death investigations," Welborn said.

Welborn's brother, Fairbanks police spokesman Ofc. Doug Welborn, said in an email Wednesday that James was from Manley. He said it was unknown whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in his death.

James' body is being sent to the state medical examiner's office in Anchorage for an autopsy.

Chris Klint

Chris Klint is a former ADN reporter who covered breaking news.

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