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Authorities investigate suspicious death in Town of Little Falls

By WKTV News

Story Created: Sep 27, 2011 at 4:24 PM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 27, 2011 at 6:29 PM EDT

TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. (WKTV) - An investigation is now underway to determine what led to the death of a City of Little Falls man after his body was found near farmland nearby in the Town of Little Falls.

According to New York State Police, a landowner was checking on some farmland near Eatonvile Road in the Town of Little Falls when, at around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, he discovered a car parked off the road near his land. Beside that vehicle, the landowner found the body of a man later identified by authorities as Francis R. Nelson, 74, of the City of Little Falls.

State Police said that the land was near the border of Herkimer and Little Falls, but specified the area where Nelson was found was the Town of Little Falls. Nelson was a residence of the City of Little Falls.

Nelson had been last seen by family members around 7 p.m. on Monday night.

Police would not elaborate whether or not Nelson was the victim of a robbery, nor what state of dress he was found in when discovered by the landowner. Police say they did find his keys inside the car and the car was off when he was found.

New York State Police Captain Mark Lincoln said that he had nothing that would lead him to believe Nelson had any sort of medical history, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or anything of the sort that might have led to his death. They also said they did not believe he was any kind of medication.

Captain Lincoln said Nelson's death is being treated as suspicious, and that they hoped an autopsy scheduled for for Tuesday evening would reveal more information.

"We are speaking to some people regarding Mr. Nelson's activities last night, we have others to interview still," Captain Lincoln said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Eatonville Road between Shells Bush Road and Route 169 was closed wand blocked by State Police vehicles as authorities continue their investigation.

State Police ask that if you have any information regarding Nelson or his the case, to please call them at 315-366-6000.

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