Orange County sheriff's deputies found a man dead in a Stanton alley around 5:30 a.m. Easter Sunday, and within hours the case had expanded to include a suspected illegal gambling operation running out of a home one block away.

The victim was found in an alleyway near Pacific and Main streets. He was a male in his 30s. His identity had not been released as of Monday. Investigators have not disclosed the cause of death.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is handling the case as a homicide investigation.

As deputies worked the scene, the investigation led them to a residential property near Flower and West Cerritos avenues. Sheriff's officials said the home appeared to be operating as an illegal gambling den. Roughly 50 people were outside when deputies arrived. All were detained for questioning.

Six were arrested on outstanding warrant charges unrelated to the homicide. No one has been charged in connection with the killing.

Sgt. Gerard McCann told reporters it was "not clear if there is any link between the possible homicide and the alleged gambling house." That connection, if one exists, has not been established publicly.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Department.