UPDATE: Death investigation closes portion of Carolina Beach Road

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation in the 6100 block of Carolina Beach Road.

Officials say the body of a black man was found in the parking lot of Saltwater Marine in Wilmington.

Blood stains and police markers could be seen at the entrance of Hanover Pines Nature park.

According to DriveNC, the southbound lanes of Carolina Beach Road have reopened, but motorists are still encouraged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes if possible.

Traffic is being diverted onto Sanders Road and then to River Road as deputies continue their investigation.

Further details have not been released about the circumstances surrounding the death investigation.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more details are released.