UPDATE: Body found in Sumter National Forest

The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding a body found near a park Monday morning.

A motorist found the body of an unidentified but well-dressed black man, possibly in his 60s, on the right of way of U.S. 176 near Molly’s Rock Picnic Area early Monday morning, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. The picnic area’s part of Sumter National Forest.

Sheriff Lee Foster said the man’s cause of death was a gunshot wound, but investigators don’t believe the man was killed where his body was found.

An autopsy will be performed Tuesday in Newberry, the sheriff’s office said, adding investigators hope the body can be positively identified since there was no identification on the man when he was found by deputies and EMS.

The investigation is ongoing and Crime Scene units are at a residence on Byrd Street in Whitmire, the sheriff’s office said, having already closed U.S. 176 from Mt. Bethel Garmany Road to S.C. 121/Brazelman’s Bridge Road to secure evidence at the scene and ensure the safety of investigating officers, the release stated.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Newberry County Sheriff's Office or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 9:31 AM with the headline "UPDATE: Body found in Sumter National Forest."