WHEELING – City police are investigating the death of a local man whose body was spotted by a person using Heritage Trail on Saturday morning. The body was located on the bank of Big Wheeling Creek where it meets the Ohio River adjacent to WesBanco Arena.

Police identified the man as Hysel Lee Gibson, 38, of Martins Ferry.

The call came into 911 shortly before 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Wheeling police officers, Wheeling firefighters and the medical examiner responded to the scene.

The manner of death was not immediately known and Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said it was too early to determine the cause. He said his department “will continue to investigate this from all angles and possibilities.”

Officials do not believe the man drowned and are not ruling out foul play. More police and forensic work need to be completed in the investigation, the chief said.

Anyone who may have been in the area or who may have information helpful in the case is asked to call the Wheeling Police Department’s Detective Division at 304-234-3781.