A man found dead in Wolf Creek March 17 was the victim of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, according to Grass Valley Police.

Dennis Timothy Royle, 52, was found face up dressed only in his bluejeans in the creek about 100 yards upstream from the Bennett Street bridge. Contractors doing water tests on the creek stumbled upon the body.

Authorities could find no signs of trauma on Royle and suspected alcohol was involved, according to Grass Valley Police Capt. Rex Marks. An autopsy toxicology report confirmed their suspicions.

The deceased man spent fall and winter in San Diego and came to homes in North San Juan, Nevada City and Grass Valley in the spring and summer.

Royle was found right behind the Grass Valley home he frequented on the 200 block of East Main Street.

Police had arrested Royle for shoplifting in recent years, according to Marks.

His family was scattered and he had a son serving in Iraq at the time of his death.

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.