SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio police are investigating a grisly death on the city's south side.

A body was discovered in the 400 block of Harriman Place. Police received a call from a concerned family member at about 11 a.m. on Saturday.

"They came to the house, found the door open and we found a deceased male inside," said Sgt. April Titus, with the San Antonio Police Department.

The owner of the home is Joe Ramon. According to neighbors, Ramon is a former teacher who worked most recently at the Menger Hotel.

"I had never met him. I just saw him. Very nice from what I saw, always waved to me -- always watering his lawn," said Andrea Duran, a neighbor.

Police said the body belongs to a man in his 40s or 50s, but they have yet to confirm the victim's identity. Neighbors fear the body is Ramon's.

"I couldn't believe it," said Nora Obregon, a friend. "I just talked to him on Friday."

Police removed four dogs from the home and said that the dogs had blood on their fur.

Grieving family members were taken to police headquarters as part of the investigation.

"He was a real nice guy," said neighbor Butch Obregon. "He minded his business."

Investigators said they are examining a fence that appears to have been knocked down and are looking for Ramon's car.

Neighbors told police they saw Ramon leave his house last night but did not see him return.

Neighbors also said that Ramon had recently lost a brother to cancer and had been grieving.

Medical examiners have not yet identified the body removed from the home.

Stay tuned to KSAT and KSAT.com for updates on this developing story.