SAN ANTONIO – UPDATE: A man found dead in an apartment closet more than two weeks ago was identified by the medical examiner's office as 43-year-old Thomas Lyons.
The ME's office said Lyons died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Police said his body was found in a closet at the Fair Avenue Apartments on March 21. They said his body has been in the closet for months.
An order coming from the apartment caused apartment managers to check the unit.
(Previously)
A man’s body had been in an apartment closet for months before being found Thursday morning, San Antonio police Chief William McManus said.
McManus said the man died under “very suspicious circumstances” and police are investigating his death as a homicide.
The man’s identity was not immediately available, but McManus said he is possibly in his 40s.
The apartment is on the 11th floor of the Fair Avenue Apartments in the 1200 block of Fair Avenue. McManus said the complex is a mix of assisted living units and others.
Chester Jackson a 13-year resident who lives on the 11th floor said was stunned by the news.
"People pass away here, aging people, but they ain't ever had no bodies," Jackson said.
McManus said an odor coming from the apartment caused apartment managers to check the unit. He said someone had checked the unit previously, but had “disregarded the odor as something other than what it was.”
He said forensics and homicide detectives are examining the unit.
Jackson said the disturbing discovery has him thinking twice about leaving his room.
"What I do is stay to myself. I go to the store, go where I got to go, come back go to my apartment, watch TV and eat and sleep," Jackson said.