ALBIA – Authorities have opened a death investigation in Monroe County after a man was found unconscious and later pronounced deceased.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday afternoon, at around 1:15pm, they received a report of a male who was unconscious near the railroad tracks along the 1300 block of Highway 5.

When first responders arrived, they immediately began providing medical care on-site to the man, who was later identified as Bret Major of Lovilia. Major was transported to Monroe County Hospital & Clinics, where he was later pronounced dead.

An investigation into Major’s death is ongoing. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office, and no further information is being released at this time.