A tragic discovery late Tuesday night has left the Spartanburg community mourning the loss of a 19-year-old high school student. Authorities confirmed that Jose Julian Morales-Diaz was found dead in the roadway, prompting an active and ongoing investigation by local and state law enforcement agencies.

According to officials, the coroner’s office was called around 10 p.m. to the intersection of Howard Street and Simuel Road in Spartanburg after reports of a person lying in the road. When emergency responders arrived, they discovered Morales-Diaz deceased at the scene. Rusty Clevenger confirmed the victim’s identity and said authorities are working to determine exactly what happened.

Morales-Diaz was a student at Dorman High School, according to officials. News of his sudden death has deeply shaken classmates, teachers, and members of the wider school community. Friends described him as a young man with his whole future ahead of him, making the loss even more painful for those who knew him.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office are jointly leading the investigation. Deputies initially responded to a report of a “man down” in the roadway before confirming the tragic discovery. Officials have not yet said whether the death involved a vehicle or any other factors.

Authorities have not released additional details about how Morales-Diaz died, and they are urging anyone with information to come forward. Investigators ask that anyone who may have seen or heard something near Howard Street and Simuel Road contact Sergeant Ben Johnson at rbjohnson@spartanburgcounty.org or call (864) 503-4607.

In response to the tragedy, the administration of Spartanburg County School District 6 has been consulted to ensure counseling and support services are available for students and staff. As the investigation continues, the Spartanburg community is left grieving the heartbreaking loss of a young life taken too soon.