An investigation has been launched after a man was found dead on a Moray street.
The 38-year-old, named locally as Andrew McPherson, may have lain undiscovered for two hours before the alarm was raised on Saturday afternoon.
Police and ambulance paramedics were alerted to an “unresponsive” man on Bynack Place, and he was later pronounced dead.
The death is currently being treated as unexplained.
Following the incident, police taped off large parts of the residential street that branches off Grant Drive.
Officers maintained a vigil outside the front and rear of one of the homes yesterday afternoon.
Last night, one neighbour feared the man may have collapsed several hours before the alarm was raised.
He said: “I was cycling with a friend and we saw him staggering about, as if his legs were about to give way. I don’t know what was wrong with him.
“I didn’t think too much of it until I came back about two hours later and saw him lying off the street behind some of the houses and phoned an ambulance.”
Another neighbour said: “A young boy came running to us. He had seen the body and was very upset by it. It’s a very sad case, very sad.”
Yesterday police issued an appeal for anyone who saw the man in the moments leading up to his death to contact them.
A spokesman said: “At about 4pm on Saturday, September 23 a 38-year-old male was found unresponsive on a grassed area near to Grant Drive in Forres.
“He was conveyed to hospital but was subsequently pronounced deceased. Inquiries have revealed that he may have been in the area for some time and police would like to speak with anyone who saw him.
“His demeanour gave the impression that he was heavily intoxicated. The death is being treated as unexplained meantime.”
The man is described as 5ft 10 tall, with short dark hair and was wearing a jumper and denim jeans at the time.
Anyone with information should contact police by phoning 101.
