(Whitley County, IN)- The Indiana State Police is conducting a death investigation after the body of a Fort Wayne man was discovered earlier today laying alongside County Road 700 East in rural Whitley County.

Detectives from the Fort Wayne Post immediately responded to the scene, as well as investigators with the Whitley County Sheriff's Department and the Whitley County Coroner’s office.

The body has been positively identified as that of Curtis E. Thomas, 30, of Fort Wayne. The circumstances surrounding the death are suspicious in nature, and remain under investigation.

Cause and manner of death will be determined through an autopsy scheduled later this week at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center in Fort Wayne.

Notification has been made to family members.