Homeless Resident Found Dead Behind Trash Enclosures At Banning McDonald's

BANNING, CA — A homeless person was found dead Tuesday morning behind trash enclosures at a Banning McDonald's.

The discovery was made shortly after 9:30 a.m. at the fast-food restaurant located in the 2100 block of W. Ramsey Street, according to the Banning Police Department.

"Officers checked the subject and determined he had been deceased for some time," according to a news release from
the agency. "The subject is believed to be an individual experiencing homelessness in the community."

The victim's identity was not released pending notification of next of kin.

The Riverside County sheriff’s forensics and the coroner's bureau are assisting with the investigation, though Banning police said foul play is not suspected.

Tuesday's finding is similar to one reported in mid-March involving a 51-year-old man who apparently lived on the streets and was found dead on a conveyor belt in operation at a garbage disposal facility in Fontana.

The body of Justin Jeffrey Gill was discovered beneath refuse on the belt at Burrtec’s West Valley Transfer Station/Material Recovery Facility at 13373 Napa Street, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The facility sorts and processes recyclables from general waste.

It's unclear how Gill's body made its way to the facility, but the sheriff's department said foul play was not suspected.

Gill was "presumed" to be a "transient," according to the sheriff's department.

Homeless residents often seek shelter in unconventional locations, including trash receptacles and cardboard boxes inside trash bins, though there was no word from authorities about Gill's living conditions.

Anyone with information about the Banning case is urged to contact local police at 951-922-3170.