I started a new character recently, and when I arrived in Riverwood after Helgen I was surprised to note Faendal's corpse in the middle of the village road. There were also no guards in the town. Anyone know what's happened? Is there some way to reset glitched towns?

When you first start the game, there are no guards in Riverwood.

Faendal was probably killed by something which wandered into town.

This is not a glitch.

Oh, okay. Thanks.

I noticed that on one playthrough. I was surprised to find that Sven did not give me the usual quest about his rivalry with Faendal. Then I found Faendal dead in the street.

You're welcome