The body of a 50-year-old man was found next to his car in a northeastern Anoka County neighborhood, and authorities said Tuesday they are treating his death as a case of murder.

Deputies were called and discovered the man's body about 9:30 p.m. Monday in a remote cul-de-sac on Camp 3 Road, west of Zodiac Street NE., in Columbus, according to Cmdr. Paul Sommer of the Sheriff's Office.

There have been no arrests, and investigators continue to search for a motive.

"Foul play was suspected" in the man's death, he said.

Authorities have not released the man's identity, but said his last known address was in St. Paul.

"We are still looking into the background of the decedent," he said. "Nothing is remarkable about him yet, but there will be more known later."

So far, Sommer said, they have yet to find an association between the man and this particular neighborhood. The area is pretty remote, he said. The homes are on large parcels of land that are a minimum of 5 acres, he said. However, no homes are very close to where the road ends, which is the crime scene, he said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 763-427-1212.

David Chanen • 612-673-4465