In a leafy enclave just east of Columbus known more for its tree-lined streets and family homes than foul play, Bexley police launched a homicide investigation Wednesday after stumbling upon a decomposed body concealed in a thicket of bushes near a popular park.

The grim find came around 2:15 p.m. on Oct. 15, when a routine patrol along East Main Street near Jeffrey Park spotted what appeared to be discarded clothing amid the underbrush. Upon closer inspection, officers uncovered the remains of an unidentified adult male, estimated to be in his 40s or 50s based on preliminary observations. The body, partially skeletonized and showing signs of advanced decomposition, had been shoved deep into the foliage, suggesting an attempt to evade detection.

“We treat every unattended death as suspicious until proven otherwise,” Bexley Police Chief Gary Lightsy said in a briefing Thursday afternoon. “The location and condition raised immediate red flags. We’re working hand-in-glove with the Franklin County Coroner’s Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to piece this together.”

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and his body was transported to the coroner’s lab for autopsy. Early reports indicate possible trauma to the skull and torso, though officials are withholding specifics to avoid compromising the probe. Dental records and DNA sampling are underway to establish identity, as no wallet or personal effects were found nearby. Lightsy noted the man appeared to be homeless or transient, clad in weathered layers of mismatched clothing, but emphasized that doesn’t diminish the case’s urgency.

Bexley, a tight-knit suburb of about 13,000 with a median home price north of $500,000, hasn’t seen a homicide in over a decade—the last being a 2014 shooting that claimed the life of an 18-year-old. Residents expressed shock on local Facebook groups and Nextdoor, with one longtime homeowner posting, “This is the kind of thing you read about in big cities, not here. Praying for answers.” The discovery spot, mere blocks from Bexley High School and the upscale Capital University’s campus, has prompted stepped-up patrols and school resource officer presence.

Investigators believe the body could have lain undiscovered for weeks, possibly since late September, given the autumn foliage’s camouflage. A canvass of nearby businesses and residences turned up no immediate witnesses, but police are reviewing surveillance from a half-dozen Ring doorbells and gas station cams along the corridor. “Someone knows something,” Lightsy urged during the presser. “Bushes don’t swallow people whole.”

The case echoes a string of unsolved disappearances in central Ohio, where the homeless population—exacerbated by post-pandemic economic strains—often falls through the cracks. Franklin County tallied 142 homicides in 2024, a 15% dip from the prior year, but officials attribute many to interpersonal disputes or drug-related violence. Bexley’s low crime rate, bolstered by community policing and swift response times, makes this outlier all the more jarring.

As the sun set on the search site Thursday, yellow crime-scene tape fluttered in the breeze, cordoning off a swath of green that now feels anything but serene. Detectives combed the area with K-9 units, unearthing a rusted knife and discarded syringes—items of interest, though their link to the death remains unclear. The coroner’s preliminary report, expected by week’s end, could elevate this from “potential” to confirmed homicide, unlocking federal resources if foul play is substantiated.

For now, the focus is on dignity for the deceased. “He deserves a name and justice, no matter his circumstances,” Lightsy said. Tips can be funneled to Bexley PD at (614) 559-4217 or anonymously via Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS. In a neighborhood where doors stay unlocked and kids bike freely, this bush-hidden tragedy serves as a sobering reminder: Darkness can lurk even in the safest shadows.