Ukiah death investigated as homicide

Ukiah police are investigating the suspicious death of a man found early Saturday along the railroad tracks where transients often gather and drink alcohol.

The unidentified man apparently died by “some sort of violence,” said Police Capt. Trent Taylor.

Investigators were still determining the cause of death, but are treating the matter as a homicide. They called in forensic experts from the Eureka office of the state Department of Justice.

Police were called before 7 a.m. after a passerby spotted the man lying along the tracks north of Perkins Street, about two blocks from the county courthouse, Taylor said.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators believe he died sometime in the previous 24 hours, Taylor said.

It was Ukiah’s first death of the year that likely will be deemed a homicide, Taylor said.

Investigators were seeking witnesses Saturday. Those with information are asked to call Ukiah police, 463-6262.