An Evanston man was found dead in a west Evanston alley Thursday morning by a neighbor who was on his way to work, Evanston police said.

The body has been identified as Stephen Whitney Young, 47. Young’s body was discovered on the 2400 block of Lee Street where he lived, said Deputy Chief Joseph Bellino of Evanston Police Department. The area is located about two blocks east of the western Evanston border.

Another resident opened his overhead garage door before he left for work at about 5:40 a.m., Bellino said. The man then saw Young’s body lying on the ground in the alley, Bellino said.

The cause of death is unknown, according to EPD. Officers at the scene found no signs of foul play, Bellino said.

“There were no outward appearances or visual indications of trauma,” he said.

Officials in the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office had no comment Thursday evening on the possible cause of death. An autopsy on Young’s body is planned for Friday, according to the medical examiner’s office.

EPD is investigating possible causes of death and is awaiting the results of the medical examiner’s reports, Bellino said.

The man’s death was unexpected, Young’s family said Thursday evening. Young lived at home with his mother and father on the block where his body was found.

An EPD chaplain was with Young’s relatives on Thursday evening.

– Laura Olson