Human remains found in a wooded area behind a motel on Highway 11/80 are being sent to the State Crime Lab for analysis, according to Meridian Police Sgt. Dareall Thompson.

Meridian police acted on a tip received around 11 a.m. Sunday and found human remains near a tent in a wooded area behind a motel in the 100 block of Highway 11/80.

Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler said the cause of death was unknown.

Thompson said the identity of the body couldn’t immediately be determined, but police haven’t eliminated the possibility of a homeless person living in the tent in the woods.

“It’s too early to say if there was any foul play,” Thompson said, noting there weren’t any weapons found immediately at the scene. “But we make sure we do everything right up front just in case.”

Thompson said the department asked for assistance from a crime scene investigation team from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations to process the scene.

“It’s going to take a little time but hopefully we’ll figure it out,” Thompson said.