OKEECHOBEE -- Local investigators are asking the public’s help regarding the death of an Okeechobee man that is being termed “suspicious.”

Michele Bell, public information officer for the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), said the body of 77-year-old Earlon (Earl) Eugley, was found Saturday in his backyard. She said he lived in a doublewide mobile home in the 12000 block of N.E. 26th Avenue.

According to Mrs. Bell a neighbor contacted the sheriff’s office and OCSO Deputy Joseph Hall was the first to respond at 4:23 p.m. on Jan. 30.

As of Monday afternoon Mrs. Bell said detectives did not known how the man died. An autopsy was to be conducted later on Feb. 1 by the District 19 Medical Examiner’s Office in Fort Pierce.

Mr. Eugley was not from Okeechobee.

“Detectives believe this death to be of a suspicious nature and that someone may have pertinent information that can help lead up to the time of Mr. Eugley’s death,” said Mrs. Bell.

She went on to say the man was from up north and had only recently returned to Okeechobee.

The lead investigator on the case is OCSO Detective Marty D. Faulkner. Detective Corporal Ted Van Deman has also been assigned to the probe.

The sheriff’s office asks anyone with information about Mr. Eugley or this case to contact Detective Faulkner at 863-357-5330.

Persons with information can also contact Treasure Coast CrimeStoppers at 1-800-273-8477 and possibly be eligible to receive a reward.