A 72-year-old Mound House watchman is believed to have died after falling in the Brown Drive scrap yard he was charged with protecting.
Charles Nevada Brantingham was discovered by an employee inside the fenced lot of Mound House Metals at 8 a.m.
Lt. Rob Hall said Brantingham had suffered a laceration to his head and was conscious, but unable to communicate.
Brantingham died before emergency crews arrived.
The employee initially believed the elderly employee had been assaulted, but upon further inspection of the area around his body, investigators were unable to find anything that could substantiate that claim.
"He had an injury that may be consistent with falling," said Hall. "There is no evidence of a burglary or a robbery."
Detective Jack Huizar said Brantingham lived alone on the property and was last heard by a neighbor inside his trailer about 6:55 a.m.
He said the entire scene was searched for evidence and on Monday, the pathologist who performs an autopsy should be able to determine the cause of death.
"We don't believe that this was foul play," said Hall. "It's being investigated with an open mind of course, but at this point we have no evidence of foul play."
• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.