#Decades-old corpse found during renovations of $41M Parisian mansion

The decomposing corpse of a homeless man was reportedly found inside the basement of a $41 million Parisian mansion undergoing renovations after sitting vacant for 30 years.

The discovery at the property — once occupied by French poet and playwright François Coppée — was made shortly after the mansion was purchased at auction by an investment banker in February, The Guardian reported, citing local newspaper Le Monde.

Workers restoring the grounds located the body underneath a pile of debris inside a cellar, the reports said.

The grisly find halted renovations and led local police to launch a murder investigation, as the remains contained broken bones and knife cuts, Le Monde reported.

The man was identified by a police source to the French newspaper as Jean-Pierre Renaud.

“It’s unclear whether he died in the mansion or was brought there, and we may never find out who was responsible,” the police source told the paper. “It’s quite possible the murderer is himself now dead.”

Renaud’s family was made aware of his discovery.