VALDOSTA — The body of a deceased male was discovered at Gallegos Body Shop Monday.

Employees of the body shop, located at 103 N. Lee St., found the body around 9:41 a.m. The body was found on a piece of furniture outside of the business.

Employees told authorities that the business had been closed since Saturday.

While no cause of death had been determined at press time, Valdosta Police Department Lt. Bobbi McGraw said that the victim had visible injuries on his body.

The death is being investigated as a homicide.

Employees told police that they knew of the man, but did not know his name.

McGraw said that a positive identification may

not be determined until the body is sent to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab for an autopsy.

The victim was Hispanic, in his late 20s or early 30s, and believed to be homeless.

“At this time, we have no motive,” McGraw said. “However, the employees at the body shop are cooperating with us to help us solve the case.”

Crime scene investigators with the Valdosta Police Department were at the scene of the incident throughout the day Monday collecting evidence and interviewing possible witnesses.

If ruled a murder, this incident will bring the total number of murders investigated this year to seven in Valdosta and nine overall in Lowndes County.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Valdosta Police Department’s Bureau of Investigation at (229) 293-3145 or the 24-hour Crime Tip Line at (229) 293-3091.