Body found in trash chute at Atlanta retirement community

ATLANTA - Atlanta police are investigating after they said a body was found in a trash chute Monday at a retirement community.

The body was discovered a little before 11 a.m. at The Atrium at College Town on Joseph E Lowery Blvd in southwest Atlanta.

"I saw the police, I saw the ambulance. I knew something was going on and I knew it wasn't good," said Raymond Burns who watched the first responders.

Barnett said the management and police both called him as they checked on all the residents who live on the 5th floor.

Atlanta police homicide investigators looked into the circumstances of the death. Police said they do not suspect foul play.

Police went to the Atrium at College Town on Monday afternoon and found a person dead.  (FOX 5 Atlanta)

Residents said if that's true, they can't figure out how the body ended up in the chute.

"There had to be some foul play in there, that’s the way I see it. You can't just walk into that chute and fall 3, 4, 5 stories down to the bottom," said Barnett.

"I don't know how that could happen because the hole isn't that big," said another resident.

One man whose friend lives at the complex said the whole thing makes her nervous.

"She's afraid, when she goes to the chute now she just opens it and runs back into the room," said the man.

The company that manages the complex released a statement saying, "Mercy housing is sad to learn of the death of an Atrium resident. The safety and well-being of all residents continue to be our primary concern. Mercy Housing is cooperating with authorities as it continues to be an active investigation."

"People really don't know what's going on. It is something to think about, I wouldn't just close the door, I'd keep it open to find out what really went on," said Burns.

Police said the medical examiner will determine the official cause of death. 

The man's name has not been released.