DAMASCUS, Md. - Montgomery County (web|news) Police Major Crimes Division - Homicide/Sex Section detectives are investigating a suspicious death after a man's body was found Monday night in Damascus.

Police report around 6:00 p.m. 5th District officers responded to the 9800 block of Bethesda Church Road after officers were called to check the welfare of a man inside his garden-style apartment.

Officers discovered the man, Billy Joe Ray, was deceased. Reports said Ray was last seen walking around his apartment complex around 8:30 a.m. Monday morning. Hours later he was dead.

By daylight, neighbors were wondering why someone would take the life of a well-liked resident. "He was a real cool dude -- nice," said Joey Kisner, the victim's friend. "He would help you out any way he could."

Montgomery County Police Officer Melanie Brenner said the police discovered the man due to his family's concerns. "Family members were trying to contact him," she said. "They were unable to get in contact him so they at some point contacted police and that's when he was discovered."

Residents in his Damascus neighborhood said Ray was a handyman, who fixed up used cars and then sold him. Police said it's unclear if he was a target or what the motive may have been for this killing.

Meanwhile, neighbors are uneasy as crime is unusual in their area. "Is it someone we should be looking out for?," said neighbor Sharon Hagins. "We have kids here."

"It's scary," said neighbor Laquette Foster. "I feel shocked, afraid because you never know what's going to happen now if this could happen to him."

The exact cause and manner of death will be determined after an autopsy by the Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore.

Detectives from the Homicide/Sex Section of the Major Crimes Division are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to call 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.