What started as routine landscaping on the University of California, Berkeley campus turned into a grim discovery yesterday when gardeners found a dead body tucked into a dense thicket along the West Circle pathway. University police and Berkeley Fire crews responded and briefly closed the path while investigators worked the scene, disrupting foot traffic along one of the campus' main pedestrian routes.
According to The Berkeley Scanner, the body was located near Oxford Street, close to Weill Hall and a nearby eucalyptus grove. UCPD officers arrived first, and Berkeley Fire units were dispatched shortly after 10:30 AM. Crews cut a hole through the bushes to reach and remove the body, which investigators said appeared to have been there for some time. The individual appeared to be male, and the initial report noted that the Alameda County coroner had not yet arrived.
Earlier campus discovery this spring
This is not the first time this year a body has been found on campus. In April, a man was discovered dead near Sproul Hall, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. At that time, UCPD said the man did not appear to be affiliated with the university and that there were no immediate signs of foul play while the Alameda County coroner worked to determine the cause and manner of death.
Who handles investigations and next steps
The Alameda County coroner's office is responsible for identifying the deceased and establishing the cause and manner of death. The Berkeley Scanner later updated its coverage to note that the coroner and other authorities removed the body from the bushes at about 12:25 p.m. The coroner's bureau operates under the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and provides contact details for families and investigators on its website at Alameda County Coroner.
Support and reporting
Students seeking support can contact UC Berkeley's Counseling and Psychological Services at (510) 642-9494, according to University Health Services. For tips or to reach campus police, the UCPD contact page lists phone numbers and non-emergency reporting options for the campus community at UCPD Contact Information.
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