Body discovered on runway of Coleman A. Young Airport

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The Detroit Police Department is investigating the death of a man who was found dead on the runway of the Coleman A. young Airport in Detroit.

According to Detroit Police, an air traffic controller at the airport spotted something on the runway around noon. Security was called to investigate and said that the object was a man's body.

Police said the man is an African American who they are calling John Doe at this time.

According to investigators, the man may have been on the runway for six or seven hours before he was spotted.

Police on scene say the victim was not an employee at the airport and this incident appears to have been accident where the victim likely died from natural causes. Police stress they do not suspect foul play.

"We don't see any signs of trauma on the body," Commander Charles Mahone said.

At this time, it is still unclear how the victim got on the runway. Mahone tells FOX 2, it's possible the victim may have jumped over the fence to get on to the property.

"That gate right there is accessible from the cemetery. And of course you can jump that gate or push through it. Depending on sometimes how you approach it and you can end up on the runway. The airport does have security who watches for trespassers but this particular incident was not picked up," Mahone said.

The commander says that personnel here at the airport will be looking at the surveillance video to figure out how the victim got on the runway. Police say the airport will also have to upgrade their security.