Police have identified the man found dead in Riverfront Park in Niles Wednesday as 54-year-old Michael Haskins, a Brandywine graduate who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Haskins was found by police lying face down on the ground in front of a park bench near the St. Joseph River just south of the Broadway Street Bridge around 1 p.m. Police learned of the body in the park after a person mowing grass in the area called it in.

Chief Jim Millin, of the Niles Police Department, said an investigation indicates thus far that Haskins died of natural causes.

“But we are awaiting medical examiner’s official report, which could be up to four to six weeks,” the chief said via email.

Haskins’ older brother, Ted, said Michael grew up in Niles and graduated from Brandywine High School in the early 1980s. From there, Ted said Michael joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served four years.

Ted said his brother spent a lot of time at Riverfront Park, especially at the skateboard park, where he would sometimes fix skateboards for people.

Ted heard the news Wednesday afternoon.

“I was at a loss for words. You don’t expect to bury your younger brother,” he said, adding that Michael suffered from heart problems. “He could make you laugh, make you feel good. He was a comic and quick witted.”