Man's body found in Melbourne backyard

An elderly man has been found dead in a Melbourne backyard and police haven't ruled out murder.

Police say they found the 79-year-old's body in a Yarraville backyard about 2pm (AEDT) on Sunday and are treating the death as suspicious at this stage.

Circumstances surrounding the man's death are unknown.

Homicide detectives were at the property on Sunday afternoon.