Body found in school’s air duct

PHOENIX – The body of a man who apparently tried to break into an elementary school was discovered Friday in an air conditioning duct on the school’s roof, police said.

The body at Sierra Vista Elementary School was found as a plumber investigated a foul odor noticed by cafeteria staff earlier in the day, said Roosevelt School District Superintendent Mark Dowling.

Authorities think the man tried to climb through the duct, got stuck and died. It wasn’t known how long the body was there.

“Obviously because of the smell, there are indications that he had been there for some time,” said Sgt. Andy Hill, a Phoenix police spokesman.

The man’s name wasn’t released.

School officials said that the children were scheduled to be dismissed early Friday.