Death investigation underway in Costa Mesa after body found near 55 Freeway

Authorities were investigating a death in the Costa Mesa area Monday, after the body of a man was found behind a dog daycare business early Sunday morning. 

According to California Highway Patrol officers investigating the incident — since it occurred on state property at the transition road for the 55 and 37 Freeways — the body was found at around 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning by a transient who was searching for recyclables behind Bone Adventure, a dog daycare located on Bristol Street. 

The body was lying against a fence, and officials estimated that the person had been dead anywhere between nine and 12 days. 

Officers found no evidence of foul play, trauma or self-inflicted wounds as they investigated the incident. 

On Friday they identified the man as 44-year-old Dana Point resident Orion Gardner. They suspect he may have been a transient.

As the investigation continued, they were working determine a cause of death, awaiting the results of a toxicology report.