Police have confirmed a body found on the beach at Kirkcaldy was that of a 45-year-old man.
Police sealed off Kirkcaldy Promenade following the discovery on Wednesday morning.
The body was found at around 7am.
A bystander said there were two transit vans, an unmarked police car and six police officers at the scene.
He said: “A section of the esplanade across from Lidl was cordoned off with police tape.
“Then the police removed the tape and corned off the entire slip way and blocked it with a police van.”
Emergency services were at the scene for several hours.
Officers say the death is not thought to be suspicious.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7am on Wednesday July 14, police received a report of the body of a man found on the beach at Kirkcaldy.
“A 45-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Inquiries are ongoing but it is not believed to be suspicious. As with all sudden deaths, a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.”
The death has left many locals in shock.
Rena Boston, a resident of seven years, said: “I’ve got young grandsons and it doesn’t make me feel too great to see this kind of thing going on.
“It’s just so sad.
“I know what state something like this puts families in, and he’s bound to have parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters out there.”
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “We’ve only been here six years so I don’t know how often this type of thing has happened before.
“It’s just shocking and sad, especially when it’s so close to home.
“I saw it on social media this morning and checked out my window.
“I saw loads of police out there but I couldn’t see what was going on.”