Mississippi authorities have launched an investigation after a body was discovered in a wooded area in Ridgeland Wednesday.

Officials from the Ridgeland Police Department said a body was located near a wooded area off of Rice Road shortly after 9:45 a.m. on Aug. 7.

Officials believe the body had been at the location for some time.

The person, who is believed to be a male, has not been identified.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) Crime Scene Unit, Reservoir police and park rangers also responded to the scene.