A person walking in the Mississippi woods reported to authorities the startling discovery of badly decomposed human remains Wednesday afternoon.

The Natchez Democrat newspaper reports that the body of a man was discovered off Sergeant S. Prentiss Drive, approximately 30 yards into the woods north of Natchez High School.

Adams County Coroner James Lee reported that the remains were in “horrible condition” and would be sent to the Mississippi State Crime Lab for identification by an anthropologist and to the State Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

Officials from the Natchez Police Department said the remains were found by a man walking in the woods. Officials say the man had seen the remains before and asked someone to report it to the police. When he saw the remains again, the man reported to police himself.

Officials said that clothing and cooking items were found near the body and that it appeared that the deceased person may have been living in the wooded area.

Authorities are awaiting the results of the autopsy to determine the cause of death and whether foul play was involved. The investigation continues as officials work to identify the man and learn more about the circumstances surrounding his death.