Durham, N.C. — Police were investigating the Friday morning discovery of a badly decomposed body behind Bethesda Elementary School on South Miami Boulevard.

A landscaper found the body, which was on school property between the back of the school and some woods and houses off Glenco Road, police said. The body appeared to have been in the woods for several weeks, police said.

Parents were alerted of the situation by an automated telephone message, Principal Doris Walker said. Students were being kept away from the area, and classes were unaffected, she said.

"Many of you might have seen law enforcement vehicles at our school this morning. I am calling to let you know that law enforcement officials are conducting a crime scene investigation near our campus," the message said. "But it is very important that you know that the issue has absolutely nothing to do with our school or our students, and that at no time have our students been in harm’s way."

Police said they had not determined if foul play was involved. Because of the decomposition, police were unsure if the body was a man or a woman.