Vicksburg Chief of Police Penny Jones has confirmed the body of a deceased female was found in the wooded area behind the Ameristar Casino’s hotel on Washington Street just after 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Jones said the investigation is in its early stages, but confirmed the body was located by police after being discovered by a local, who then alerted an Ameristar patron.

Jones said the deceased was possibly homeless and was found in a camp area, along with animals that appeared to have been pets.

“We don’t know who she is yet,” Jones said. “She appears to have been deceased for more than a week and it doesn’t look like foul play was involved; it looks like she had been sick.”

Jones said the remains have been transferred to a local funeral home and the case is pending further information from medical authorities.

This is a developing story. More information will be released as it is made available.

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