An 86-year-old man who went missing a day after he hit the lottery was found stabbed to death in a vacant house in Detroit, Michigan on Sunday.

Family members of Arthur Neal Jr. say that the senior went missing on Dec. 20, one day after he won $20,000 in the lottery.

Neal's family filed a missing persons report on Dec. 28, reports Reuters.

After a six week search, authorities say Neal's body was discovered under a tarp in the basement of a house located on the 15800 block of Mansfield on the west side of Detroit. The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office said that an autopsy determined that he died from multiple stab wounds

It is not clear if Neal had cashed in his winning ticket or if his winning was a motive in his death.

"We have been providing information to the Detroit Police Department on this, and we have no record of Mr. Neal claiming a prize of that size, or any prize for that matter," Michigan Lottery spokesman Jeff Holyfield told The Detroit News. "I can't tell you whether or not he won, but I know he never cashed in any tickets."

Officer Adam Madera said police are investigating the case as a homicide.

"That's why it's not good to identify yourself picking up that money," Fred, a neighbor who lives next door to the vacant house when Neal's body was found, told My Fox Detroit. "I'm sorry to hear that. That's scary. I have vacant houses on both sides of me -- it's scary."

Fred also recalled seeing a friendly young man recently enter and leave the house.

"I thought he was staying there squatting there, not disturbing the property," Fred said.

Neighbors who live near Neal's house said they were saddened to hear news about the passing of their friend.

"I hate to hear he is gone," one neighbor said .

"It's sad is all I can say. A good man, just gone," another neighbor added.

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