The discovery was made near a home off Adams Avenue west of Crawford, which is east of Reedley.
The man's identity has not been released. He's only been described by detectives as hispanic and over the age of 50.
Detectives tell CBS47 that they have ruled out the possiblity that the man died naturally. They are not calling the case a homicide yet, they added.
"We believe he does live here and at this point we don't have a manner of death. And we're talking with folks around here, neighbors, and canvassing the area," said Sgt. Leo Lopez, Fresno County Sheriff's Department.
Several family members and friends watched as detectives took several bags of evidence from the scene.
John Soto, who lives down the road, says he's known the man who died for more than ten years. He last saw him a couple of weeks ago, he said.
"This guy never harmed nobody or nothing. He was friendly with everybody," said Soto. "He stays inside to himself. He comes out once in a while, walks around, and goes back inside," he added."
Employees with the Fresno County Coroner's Office say an autopsy will be performed on the man's body possibily as early as Saturday.