CAROLINA FOREST — Little is known about the circumstances surrounding the death of a man found in a pond off U.S. 501 in the Myrtle Beach area, but foul play is not suspected.

Kenneth Earl Strickland Sr., 55, from Myrtle Beach was found dead Tuesday, said Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard. She said there were no obvious signs of trauma and drowning is the preliminary cause of death found in an autopsy performed Tuesday afternoon.

Though foul play is not expected, Willard said the death is still under investigation. The complete autopsy report will take 10 to 12 weeks to complete.

The pond where Strickland was found is adjacent to a vacant lot at the corner of Waccamaw Pines Drive and Hospitality Road, which is across the street from the Tanger Outlets and near the Myrtle Beach Speedway.

Horry County police were called about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday when someone passing by the area reported seeing the body in the small retention pond, Kegler said.

The scene drew a crowd to the edge of the parking lot at Tanger Outlets with many tourists curious to know why an Horry County Fire Rescue truck, dive boat and several police cars blocked one lane of Waccamaw Pines Drive.

The Emerald Lakes subdivision is adjacent to the property and several residents drove by the area numerous times. A woman living in the subdivision said she was not worried about crime in her neighborhood.