Puyallup police investigate likely suicide near school

Puyallup police detectives and the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office are investigating a suspected suicide at a house neighboring Aylen Junior High School.

Arriving students, staff and bus drivers spotted the dead body this morning, Puyallup police Capt. Dave McDonald said.

The dead man, an adult in his mid-20s, was in the yard of a house in the 1300 block of Second Avenue Northwest, neighboring the school. He was visible from the back of the school, where buses drop students off. The man lived at the house.

"It's not related to the school," McDonald said.

Officers put up large tarps and school buses were realigned so students wouldn't see the scene.

Investigators have finished their work and left the home. School officials were offering counseling to any student or staff member traumatized by the incident, the police department reported.

This story was originally published March 24, 2011 at 11:49 AM with the headline "Puyallup police investigate likely suicide near school."