A 67-year-old man, last seen about two weeks ago, was found dead in his home Thursday afternoon, according to authorities.
The man's body was found in a home located in the 6200 block of Martel Avenue.
Investigators said the death is related to hoarding, and that the home was filled with refuse from floor to ceiling. However, the medical examiner has not confirmed the man's cause of death.
Hazmat crews originally discovered the man's body under a pile of debris at about noon Thursday, according to police.
Two large dumpsters are on the front lawn, one already filled after Hazmat crews cleaned out a single bedroom. The carcasses of two dogs and a raccoon found amid the squalor distracted cadaver dogs used in the search. Also found were gallon milk jugs filled with urine as the bathroom was inaccessible because of the clutter.
"We just could not get around or find anything," said Dallas Fire-Rescue Lt. Joel Lavender.
Dallas homicide detectives and the Dallas County medical examiner’s office are trying to determine if any foul play is involved in the death.
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According to police, the man was last seen alive on March 15.
On March 22, there was a call for a welfare check at the home, but with so much trash and other items piled into the house, police could not enter the home. Workers had to cut holes in the roof to access the home and once inside didn’t have enough room to move around.
Detectives had to get a warrant to remove all the things that cluttered entry into the home. Workers wearing protective suits and breathing gear could be seen this week removing loads of trash from the home, including outdated electronics.
No one had any idea about the man's living situation inside the home.
Police said that the man told friends he wasn't feeling well.
Several neighbors expressed shock when windows and part of the front of the home were cut, revealing the debris that was piled to the ceilings in nearly every room.
Code compliance officers said they will determine if the home will be demolished after all trash is cleared from the home.
