The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office has released few details about the death investigation involving a Durango woman who was reported missing in late February and again earlier this month.
The body of Jacquline Chavez, 49, was found last week during a family-organized search effort.
She was found on the side of the Colorado Trail, about 0.3 miles from the Junction Creek trailhead, hidden from view of regular foot traffic.
The Sheriff’s Office has declined to release basic details, including how far from the trail Chavez’s body was found, citing the ongoing investigation.
Chavez likely died of hypothermia, said La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith.
“We're waiting for toxicology to come back and see what that might show, although we don't really think there is anything,” she said.
No foul play is suspected, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Chris Burke.
Chavez was first reported missing in late February when family members found her car abandoned at the trailhead.
Later that day, Search and Rescue team members and her family found her at an undisclosed location on the trail. During the interaction, Chavez told them she wanted to be left alone.
The Sheriff’s Office has no indication that Chavez was experiencing a mental health crisis or any other crisis at the time of that interaction, Burke said.
The Durango Police Department closed its missing persons report after Chavez requested to be left alone in February.
Chavez was reported missing again on March 1 after hikers found her backpack sitting on the Colorado Trail, about 2 miles from the Junction Creek parking lot.
Her body was found five days later, on March 6, by family members.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
