MECHANIC FALLS – A 39-year-old man was found dead outside a home on North Street after a woman there reported the man was despondent and threatening to kill himself, police said early today.

His name was being withheld until his family was notified, Police Chief Jeffrey Goss said.

Local, county and state police surrounded the house at 276 North St. on Friday night after a man was reported to be inside holding a handgun to his head, he said. Several hours after police began gathering at the scene, a tactical team went into the house to remove people, and found the man dead in the yard.

It was believed he had killed himself, Goss said.

At about 7 p.m., Mechanic Falls police went to North Street to investigate a report by a woman that a man there threatening suicide, the chief said.

Androscoggin County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the area soon after and trained crisis negotiator Rielly Bryant attempted to contact the suspect.

At about 8:30 p.m., tactical team officers from Maine State Police began to arrive on North Street where they suited up in protective gear in preparation for the standoff.

Approximately an hour after the tactical team arrived, officers at the scene called for assistance from the Medical Examiner’s Office, which is a standard procedure in a situation where a person has died by questionable means.

Goss remained at the scene early this morning as were several officers from Sheriff’s Department and Maine State Police.

A long section of North Street, which is off Route 121, was blocked for several hours Friday night as the standoff continued. The road leads into Oxford.