By Kathryn Reed

A Homewood man was found dead Tuesday morning, laying in the snow outside of his house.

Placer County sheriff’s deputies found the body of Todd Michael Borchardt, 49, about 11am Jan. 24 covered in 5 to 6 inches of snow.

Deputies received a call from the PDQ Market in Tahoma saying a vehicle had been abandoned there. How many days isn’t known. The vehicle was registered to Borchardt.

Looking at his residence the driveway, walkway and steps had not recently been shoveled. Lights were on and dogs were barking inside.

“We checked the house and found his cell phone and personal items. It didn’t look suspicious,” sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Hunt told Lake Tahoe News. “We don’t expect foul play.”

North Tahoe Fire was called to help look around the property. Using probes they were able to find the body.

An autopsy will be conducted.

Neither a shovel nor a snowblower was found in the vicinity of the body. Hunt also said it did not appear snow shedding from the roof was a factor.

Neighbors told detectives they had not seen Borchardt for a few days.

The market where the vehicle was located is walking distance to Borchardt’s residence on Emerald Circle. It is not known why he chose to leave the vehicle at the market.