LITHONIA — Children playing in a wooded area in DeKalb County on Wednesday came across the body of a man who had been slain.

DeKalb County police officer Jason Gagnon said the man had been shot to death and appeared to be in his 20s or 30s. Police said the body was found Wednesday afternoon off Wild Ginger Road near Lithonia, and they are unsure how long it had been there.

Gagnon said an autopsy is planned. He said the man was a victim of a homicide, and that investigators have ruled out suicide.

Authorities say they know the man's identity, but have been unable to locate his relatives.