OKC Police Investigate Discovery Of Body In Drainage Canal

It was a somber scene Thursday in an Oklahoma City neighborhood near Southwest 134th & Santa Fe.

Police said they found the body of an unknown man, alone and in the cold water of a drainage ditch on a day normally spent in the warmth of family and friends.

“I was just concerned that there was a dead body found and was very upset,” Kim Rollins said.

Rollins was one of the first to happen on the active scene. Authorities were already there.

Investigators haven't said who the man was or how he may have died, only that the call came in just before 11 a.m. Thursday. First responders had to wait in the rain as crews climbed down ladders to retrieve his body.

11/26/2015 Related Story: Body Discovered In Drainage Canal Of SW OKC Neighborhood

"It's just devastating. I mean like I'm crying and stuff," Rollins said as she stood under her umbrella.

She added she’d always felt safe in her neighborhood and was shocked to see the scene.

Others said they only heard about the death after the fact, even though it was just steps from their front door.

One man said most of his neighbors are out of town for the holiday and may very well see their street name in the headlines.

“Everybody will freak out probably because nothing like that's ever happened,” Neil Tyner said as he looked out from his garage to the canal across the street.

“It’s a time of joy and family, hope. Not, I just feel bad for this family that's going to be getting the worst news,” Rollins said.

Oklahoma City police said they are still investigating the death and should have more details after the holiday weekend.