Vancouver Police investigating after body found in a storm drain

WATCH: A shocking discovery was made today in Vancouver. A body was found in a storm drain. Jeremy Hunka explains why police are treating the death as suspicious.

A body was found in a storm drain in East Vancouver today, and police say the death appears suspicious.

A person phoned 9-1-1 this morning after finding the body in a storm drain located in a laneway to the east of the 500-block of Kaslo Street.

The Vancouver Fire Department’s special operations team retrieved the body, while Vancouver police picked up a pair of shoes and clothes, surrounding the area to gather evidence.

A witness told Global News there was discussion by police that the victim may have been trying to retrieve his cellphone.

Crews were on scene for five hours this morning, but have since left.