A body was found off of Interstate 20 -- at mile marker 242 -- in Sweetwater around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

The Sweetwater Police Department, Nolan County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Rangers are investigating the cause of death.  A worker at a business near where the body was found said crews picking up garbage on the side of the road discovered the body.

Authorities do not know if the body was male or female, said Brian Frieda, police chief for the Sweetwater Police Department.

"The body is in a severe state of decomposition, so being able to tell if the race or sex of the individual is not being able to be made at this time," said Frieda.

The remains were sent to Lubbock for autopsy.

"Hopefully they'll be able to help us put together the puzzle -- find out what the cause of death was, the sex and possibly the race," Frieda said.

Trooper Sparky Dean said DPS mapped the crime scene Thursday afternoon.