Police investigating death at motel in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Metro Homicide Unit is investigating a death at the Shirley Motel on US31. The body of a man in his 50s was found in one of the rooms.

South Bend Police were called to the Shirley Motel around noon Tuesday to investigate the death of a man in his 50s.

He was a regular guest who basically lived at the motel on US 31 between Pasadena Avenue and Gilmer Street.

According to South Bend Police, Metro Homicide was called to investigate because the death appears to be suspicious.

“There was enough found by the uniform officers to make it appear that it was something a little bit more than natural possibly," said Captain Scott Hanley of the South Bend Police Department.

As investigators brought out his body, Darlene Townsend stood by and cried.

“I knew him well enough to know he was a good person and that didn’t deserve to happen to him," said Townsend.

Townsend said she was shocked a death investigation was happening in the room next door.

“I pray they find the people who did it. Nobody deserved that. Nobody deserves that," said Townsend.

Metro Homicide is not releasing the victim’s name until family has been notified.

Townsend said the only unusual thing she heard overnight was a woman knocking on her door.

“I don’t know what to think. It’s sad when anyone dies. It hurts. It’s hard when you see someone one day and not the next. You just wonder why. Why? Is it natural? Did someone do this?" said Townsend.

The St. Joseph County Coroner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.