Homicide investigation leads to bust at Orange County illegal gambling operation, deputies say

A man's suspicious death in Orange County led to a bust at an illegal gambling operation early Sunday morning, according to authorities. 

Deputies were called to an alley near Flower Avenue and Beach Boulevard, between Cerritos Avenue and Pacific Street, at around 5:30 a.m. for reports of a dead body in the area, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. 

Upon arrival, deputies said that they found a deceased male in his 30s. He has not yet been publicly identified as the investigation continues. 

As they investigated the incident, detectives said they were led to an illegal gambling house nearby, at Cerritos Avenue and Flower Avenue, where several people were detained. Investigators did not share any information on the possible charges those people face. 

Deputies said on Sunday that the man's death was being investigated as suspicious, but they did not provide further details on why. On Monday, they confirmed that the investigation was being classified as a homicide. 

They did not say if the homicide was connected to the illegal gambling house. Fifty people were detained on Sunday, six of whom were arrested for outstanding warrants, deputies noted.

Video from the scene showed several people being handcuffed outside a home in the area. The busy intersection was blocked off by law enforcement vehicles and crime scene tape as the investigation was underway.