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Body discovered near Animas River in Durango

The body of a 40-year-old man was discovered Saturday afternoon along the west bank of the Animas River behind a house on West Park Avenue.

The man was found downstream of the Main Avenue bridge in a sleeping bag in some brush close to the edge.

“It’s obvious he’s been there awhile,” said Cathy Seibel, the deputy coroner. She was unable to say anything else until an autopsy has been completed.

The autopsy results will determine if foul play may have played a role in his death, said Detective Sgt. Deck Shaline.

“There were no obvious signs of any trauma,” he said.

The police cannot release the man’s identity, because they haven’t notified the next of kin, but he may be from Fort Collins, he said.

An estimate on how long ago the man may have died was also not available.

“It’s difficult to tell when someone is outside and exposed to the elements,” he said.

The body was found by Michael Lee, who came to work on the pool in the home’s backyard. He thought at first someone was camping near the river.

But later he walked down the steep embankment behind the house to work on the equipment underneath the pool and saw the body.

The body was found beyond the back fence of the property.

The police arrived shortly after 2:30 p.m. After the scene was documented, officials planned to take the body to a mortuary, Seibel said.

mshinn@durangoherald.com

May 22, 2016
Body found on west bank of Animas River identified


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