Los Angeles police are investigating an apparent homicide after a woman’s body was found in garbage can that had been zip tied shut in a residential neighborhood.

A homeowner found the garbage can lying on its side Tuesday morning and picked it up, AOL reported. He called the police non-emergency line because it was heavier than he expected.

“I gave them all the info. Told them it’s weird that it’s zip-tied,” Will Elliott said. “Its serial number was scratched off and so they said that within 24 hours they’re going to send an animal disposal unit out to pick it up.”

A few hours later, gardeners in the Sunland neighborhood noticed a strong smell from the can. Another neighbor called 911, and police arrived and found the body.

They have not released information about the women inside, except to say she appeared to be in her 30s or 40s. Police told KTLA that particular trash can does not belong in the Sunland neighborhood.

Elliott said the its serial number had been filed off.

“The initial reports were saying there was a foul smell coming from the trash bin as well as flies,” LAPD Detective Eduardo Serrano told KTLA. “We don’t understand what exactly happened yet, but just the fact that a body was discarded in the street, in a trash bin, it’s very saddening. That’s no way for a person to discover that their loved one was left in that manner.”

The medical examiner is working to determine cause of death.

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[Featured image: KTLA]