The body of a missing 39-year-old man was found Thursday in a drain tunnel near a canal in Tulare, police said.

Detectives and evidence technicians with the Tulare Police Department responded around 1:35 p.m. to the area of Tulare Avenue and Mooney Boulevard after receiving information about a possible body in one of the drain tunnels branching off from a canal tunnel west of Mooney Boulevard, according to police.

Investigators had been conducting follow-up work in the area related to a missing person case involving someone known to frequent the location, police said.

Detectives entered the tunnel, which was partially filled with water, and discovered the body of an adult male partially submerged, authorities said.

With assistance from the Tulare County Coroner’s Office, the body was recovered and later identified as Michael Anthony Hernandez, 39. His family has been notified.

The cause of death has not been determined and remains under investigation.

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Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Puente at (559) 685-2300 ext. 2157.

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