City police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a person on Binghamton's West Side.

Police were called to an apartment building at 11 Mather Street around 9:50 Tuesday morning.

A man who said he moved into a first-floor apartment four days ago said there was a "terrible smell" in the building at that time.

The man, who asked that his name not be used, said his wife and their two young daughters left the apartment building to stay with a relative as the overpowering odor worsened.

The resident said his 2-year-old daughter was having difficulty breathing. He said large swarms of flies had entered the building as the stench apparently coming from a decaying body became unbearable.

Detective Lieutenant Cory Minor said police were treating the case as a "suspicious death" as they initiated the investigation. He said the death had not been ruled a homicide.

Minor would not say whether the body found in one of the apartments was that of a man or a woman.

Evidence technicians wearing protective suits spent hours processing the scene and bringing items into the backyard of building.

People with information about the investigation may contact the detective bureau at 607.772.7080.

 

Investigators working in the backyard of the Mather Street apartment building Tuesday afternoon. BOB JOSEPH/WNBF NEWS
Investigators working in the backyard of the Mather Street apartment building Tuesday afternoon. BOB JOSEPH/WNBF NEWS
loading...

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, following @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

More From WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM