Body found on roadside in Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu

DECKER CANYON, Calif. (KABC) -- A body was found Thursday morning on a roadside in the Santa Monica Mountains north of Malibu, prompting the closure of a stretch of Mulholland Highway, authorities said. The deceased was identified only as a female.

The discovery was made shortly after 7:30 a.m. near 33153 Mulholland Highway, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which took the lead in the investigation.

Detectives say passersby discovered the body and administered CPR, but it's unknown whether the person was still alive.

Preliminary information indicates that the woman may have overdosed and her body was brought to that location. It will be investigated as a homicide.

California Highway Patrol officers and Los Angeles County firefighter-paramedics also responded to the scene.

Officials say there were no obvious signs of physical trauma on the body. A coroner will determine the cause of death.

The deceased female's identity was not immediately released.

Mullholland Highway was closed for several hours during the investigation, the CHP said.

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