State Police in Lawrence County are investigating the murder of a Meadville man whose body was found along a road in Slippery Rock Township last week.

Following an autopsy, the coroner ruled that 40-year-old Joseph Detello died as a result of homicide by asphyxiation.

Detello was  found unresponsive along Young Road Thursday afternoon by a passerby who thought Detello was having problems with his car.

The passerby called 911 and began administering CPR until police and EMTs arrived who determined that Detello was dead.