Watch CBS News

Body Found In Freezer At Fish Processing Company In Braintree

BRAINTREE (CBS) – A body was found in a freezer at a fish processing company in Braintree early Thursday. The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office said workers at Channel Fish Processing on Commerce Drive found a man "unresponsive" in a commercial freezer just after midnight.

The man was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was later identified as Julio Cesar Costa, 45, of Malden.

Channel Fish released a statement Thursday afternoon confirming that Costa was the owner of Big Star Cleaning, an independent Everett company with whom Channel does business. A spokesperson for the D.A. said Costa was working at the processing plant at the time.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said, "the cause of and manner of his death is un-determined, pending additional study and testing." Investigators said there were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play.

braintree Channel Fish Processing
Channel Fish Processing on Commerce Drive in Braintree. (WBZ-TV)

"We are profoundly saddened by this tragedy, and extend our deepest sympathy to the man's family, friends and co-workers at Big Star Cleaning," CEO of Channel Fish Roy Zaffiro said in the statement. 

He said the company is cooperating with OSHA, Massachusetts State Police and local authorities in their investigation.

No other information is available at this point in the investigation.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.