Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

A dead body was found at 70 Carey Ave. in Wilkes-Barre Friday morning.

WILKES-BARRE — City and Luzerne County detectives are investigating the death of a man found inside 70 Carey Ave. Friday morning.

Police Chief Robert Hughes identified the man as Peter Bielecki Jr., 49. An autopsy is scheduled on Monday.

“We have a deceased male, Peter Bielecki Jr.,” Hughes said. “Right now we are treating it as a suspicious death.”

Hughes said a family member found Bielecki and called 911.

The police chief would not say if any foul play was suspected or confirm reports Bielecki died from a gunshot wound.

“It’s obvious it’s in a suspicious manner. Until we get a ruling by the coroner’s office, I really can’t comment any further,” Hughes said.

Six detectives from Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County, including a trooper with the state police Forensic Services Unit, were at the double block house at 68-70 Carey Ave.

Coroner Bill Lisman and deputy coroners Dan Hughes and Tom Moran removed the body just before 1 p.m.

Several residents on nearby Orchard Street said the neighborhood is “a disgrace,” filled with drugs and nuisance properties.

“It’s not a problem house,” Hughes said about 68-70 Carey Ave. “Right now we are considering it as a suspicious death and we’re going to investigate it that way.”

Hughes said detectives were in the process of contacting the building owner for permission to search the building. If consent is not given, then detectives will seek a search warrant, Hughes said.