Photo: Heather Harbin/KHTS

Coroner’s officials have identified the man found dead earlier this month near the Interstate 5 on-ramp.

The victim was Robert Swanson, a 59-year-old Caucasian man from Sylmar, said Lt. Ed Winter of the county coroner’s office. The cause of death has been determined as a suicide.

Swanson’s body was found in brush near the northbound I-5 onramp at Valencia Boulevard on Aug. 10.

“His body had been there a long time,” Winter said. “He had to be identified by fingerprints.”

His body was spotted by a passerby around 4:17 p.m., said Sgt. Brian Allen with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

Suicide Prevention

Recent statistics indicate the North Los Angeles County region has the highest rate of calls for attempted and completed suicides in Los Angeles County, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department data.

For anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley, below is a list and a link to more information:

There are 24-hour numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call 1-800-273-8255, for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; 1-800-854-7771, for The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health; and 1-800-784-2433, for The Treatment Advocacy Center. You can contact the SCV Child & Family Center at 661-259-9439. The phone number for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project is 661-257-9688.