Cops: Body found under Long Beach Bridge

The body of a man was spotted under the Long Beach Bridge Thursday morning by two men trying to collect cans at the base of the bridge, Long Beach police said.

The man, who was in his 40s or 50s, likely died of exposure, but the cause of death will be determined by the county medical examiner, Lt. Eric Cregeen said. He apparently had set up a makeshift tarp shelter, Cregeen said.

The two men were walking on the northbound side of the bridge about 8:15 a.m. when they noticed the cans, the lieutenant said.

"They went to collect some cans, and they saw our subject lying on the ground under the blankets," Cregeen said.

They went to see if he was all right, but it was obvious he was dead, police said.

Cregeen said authorities have an idea of who the man is but a definitive identification won't be made until after the autopsy.