PORTSMOUTH � A man was found dead on a lawn off Heritage Avenue Friday afternoon, and his cause of death is believed to be a self-inflicted shotgun wound, said Police Chief Robert Merner.

Police and firefighters were called to 345 Heritage Ave., a U.S. Postal Service sorting facility, on Sept. 15 at about 2:45 p.m., when the deceased was discovered. Merner said a mechanic test driving a car was in the front parking lot checking under the hood of a car when he looked toward the nearby elevated lawn and saw the deceased next to a wood line. The police chief said the man, in his 50s or 60s, was found next to the shotgun, and it's believed he was there for 24 to 36 hours before he was found.

He said police do not believe the deceased, a white male with a grey beard, was a postal employee.

Anyone with information can leave anonymous tips with Seacoast Crime Stoppers online at seacoastcrimestoppers.com, by calling (603) 431-1199, or by texting CRIMES (274637) and including TIPSCS in the message.

Anyone considering suicide is urged to call call 911 or 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). For information about suicide prevention and to get help for loved ones, log onto the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.