Body Found on Conveyor Belt at Indiana Wastewater Treatment Plant

Police in Muncie, Ind., investigated the discovery of an unidentified man’s body at a wastewater treatment plant on the city’s west side Monday.

The discovery of the body was reported to emergency dispatchers at 8:57 a.m Monday. The Muncie Police Captain Joe Todd said the body was discovered on a conveyor belt inside the plant. The body remained unidentified for several hours after it was found, according to the Star Press.

An autopsy was conducted Tuesday, May 21 at the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, Delaware County Coroner Rick Howell said.

“There were no immediate indications the man had been a victim of violence,” Todd said to Star Press.

Investigators determined his body could not have reached the location where it was found from the White River, according to Star Press. Todd told local reporters three local storm drains are large enough to carry a human body in the plant.

Authorities also investigated whether the man had been at the Muncie Sanitary District wastewater treatment facility and ended up on the conveyor belt through other means, according to Star Press.

Investigators described the deceased as a white male in his 40s or 50s with a thin build, dark hair, a mustache and a "squared-off" goatee. The man also has a tattoo on one of his arms, and was wearing blue jeans and without shirt. Todd said two other tattoos on the deceased arm’s combined to form a profane message. An obscene word was tattooed on one arm; "you" was on the other arm, according to the Star Press.

Those familiar with someone matching this description is asked to call the Muncie Police Department investigations division at 765.747.4867.