Raymond J. Morch, 37, of Saranac Lake, appears to have been living under the bridge, SLPD Chief Darin Perrotte said on Thursday. Perrotte said family members who knew Morch had been staying under the bridge discovered him dead on Wednesday and reported his death to the police.

Perrotte is asking anyone who was in that area of Pine Street and Bloomingdale Avenue between 10 p.m. on Monday, and Wednesday morning, to contact SLPD at 518-891-4422. Tips can also be submitted at saranaclakepolice.org.

Perrotte said he’s looking for people who were in that area at that time and who heard or saw anything out of the ordinary, or saw anyone under or around the bridge.

Morch’s body was removed to Glens Falls Hospital, where the autopsy will be performed today.

Saranac Lake police investigate the discovery of a body below the Pine Street bridge on Wednesday night. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

Perrotte said there is no indication that this was a suicide and that they’re not suspecting foul play at this point, but he repeatedly said it is too soon for him to actually say.

“It’s preliminary,” Perrotte said. “It’s too early to say for certain until we hear back the results of the autopsy. … That should give us a lot of answers.”

He will be traveling to Glens Falls today for the autopsy and said he will provide the details from it to the public as soon as he is able.

Craig Foley, Morch’s cousin, said the rumors around his cousin’s death need to end because they’re hurting the family.

“It’s just. It’s sad,” Foley said. “My sisters and my brothers are going through enough without the false bulls***.”

Jennifer LaMere also said she is Morch’s cousin.

“My cousin Ray was a good man. He was happy. He loved his daughter very much was loved by all his family and friends,” LaMere told the Enterprise. “He was a lover not a fighter, but he did fight for what he loved and he loved all of his family.”

She said he was both a cousin and a friend to her as well as a protector of the family. LaMere said Morch loved fishing and hiking and was someone to go to for advice in hard times.

“He will be missed not only by me but by the rest of my family and his friends especially his brother and daughter who loved him very much,” LaMere said.

Saranac Lake Village Police and State Police responded to the discovery of a “male victim” found beneath the Pine Street bridge at 4:40 p.m. Wednesday.

Pine Street was closed off from Bloomingdale Avenue to Dugway Road for the investigation. Police remained on the scene until 11:35 p.m. when the road was reopened.

Saranac Lake Police were assisted by the State Police, the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, state fire investigators and the Essex County Coroner’s Office.

Perrotte reiterated that there is no threat to the public.