(THREE RIVERS) – The Three Rivers Police Department is investigating the discovery of human remains.

Three Rivers Police Chief Scott Boling says his department was notified Monday afternoon after a person who was walking their dog found the decomposing body on Second Avenue near an abandoned garage. Authorities removed the body and other items found in the area as part of their investigation.

Boling says the body was that of a human, and the death was not recent. The body has been sent to Western Michigan University where an autopsy will be performed.

The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department is helping with the investigation.