A jungle area behind the Sumay Pub and Grill was cordoned off with crime scene tape.

Authorities were at the scene for hours Sunday afternoon where Guam Police Department officers found the body of a man around 1:34 p.m. 

The victim, investigators say, suffered injuries suggesting foul play. 

First responders in hazmat suits are seen rolling the gurney into the ambulance. 

The discovery comes as a shock for Santa Rita-Sumai residents like Christopher Day. 

 

"I mean that’s concerning because it’s usually not happening around here. That’s a pretty big shock," he said. "That’s the first time I've heard of something like that happening in this area."

Another resident Noah Naples said it’s scary knowing it happened in an otherwise family-friendly village. 

"Honestly it's crazy to think about because I grew up in Santa Rita and there wasn’t a lot of stuff like that happening when I was growing up here. It was more of a family-friendly environment," he said. "So finding out that there was a dead body found in a jungle area is very scary, especially for the kids who like to run around the streets."

Others like Terrence Aflague are saddened by the death in the tight-knit community.

"It’s really sad to hear of anyone passing away for any reason, especially for a family member or friend," he said. "It’s just sad. My condolences for them."

Aflague is hoping it’s not anyone he knows. 

 

"I'm not sure. We’re hoping it's not anyone we know. For the family of the person who’s missing, our condolences," he said. 

GPD spokesperson Officer Berlyn Savella said the death investigation is ongoing. She admits there’s not much police can tell, including any of the man's injuries,  without jeopardizing the investigation. 

"That too unfortunately is not something we are able to release until our investigators can at least gather the information," she said. "We have yet to conduct an autopsy to my understanding. Once that is completed, we would be able to substantiate what other inquiries and confirm the information as it is being given to us."

Kuam has learned from authorities close to the investigation that the body was badly beaten and looked to be hit by a car. 

Currently, no potential suspects have been identified

GPD also was unable to identify the victim. 

 

 "As far as the identification, we don’t have proper identification," Savella said. "We may have an idea of who he is, but a next of kin has yet to be contacted."  

An autopsy will be performed to confirm how he died.

But, with the public worried that there's a killer on the loose, Officer Savella is asking the community to remain vigilant. 

"Of course we are reaching out to the community for those who may know or have information that would lead to the closing of this case," she said. "We are not there. We are in the preliminary stages of gathering all the facts, the information and the evidence. Be vigilant. If you see something, say something."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 671-475-8615 thru 17.