Man found dead in Hamilton alleyway

A man was found dead in a Hamilton alleyway this afternoon.

Police were called to the scene behind Norris Ave, Te Rapa, about 12.40pm after a person came across a man lying face down and not breathing.

Waikato police spokesman Tony Sasso described the dead man as a Maori or Polynesian, around 40-years-old.

Because the cause of death was not known, police were treating it as they would a homicide inquiry, however, there were no external signs of injury, he said.

Someone was attempting CPR on the man when ambulance staff arrived. They continued to try and resuscitate him but he was not breathing and his heart had stopped beating and could not be revived, ambulance spokesman Glen Taylor said.

The man is yet to be identified.

Waikato CIB were at the scene.

- NZPA