The Meridian City Waste Dump located on 31st Avenue South was closed for several hours Monday while law enforcement authorities investigated the discovery of a man’s body that was locked in his car.

Authorities are now saying the man died of a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

“The vehicle was locked and a handgun was found in the victim’s lap,” said Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler. “His body will be sent to the state medical examiner for an autopsy but the preliminary investigation points strongly to this being a suicide.”

Cobler said the victim was a 29-year-old black male who was a Meridian resident.

Meridian Police Department Chief Benny DuBose said officers were notified of the discovery late Monday morning.

“The victim was found slumped in his car,” said DuBose. “That is when we were called and began looking into the incident.”