A 69-year-old Durango native was found dead Tuesday night near Rotary Park.
Francisco Lopez appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to authorities.
Durango Police Department Cmdr. Ray Shupe said authorities received a report of shots fired around 8:30 p.m. Lopez was found near the Animas River, close to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad tracks.
No foul play is suspected, Shupe said.
La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith said Lopez’s family had reported him missing earlier in the day. An autopsy was performed Wednesday and next of kin was notified.
Lopez’s son, Jesse, said his father was a fourth-generation Durango native. Over the years, he served on the Durango Police Department and worked as a chef at several restaurants around town.
“Everyone knew Frank Lopez,” he said.
Jesse Lopez said his father had a “great sense of humor” and loved to spend time with his family, fishing and hunting. He left behind four children and eight grandchildren.
In recent years, Lopez’s health began failing, Jesse Lopez said. Still, news of Lopez’s death came as a shock.
“You look for signs, but they weren’t there,” Jesse Lopez said. “But we never know what people are thinking.”
Jesse Lopez said the family plans a celebration life. No date has been set, and it will remain a private event.
“I think everyone that knows him has nothing negative to say,” Jesse Lopez said. “He was a kind, gentle soul. He wasn’t without faults, but nobody is.”
jromeo@durangoherald.com
How to get help
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering suicide:
AXIS HEALTH SYSTEM: 24-hour hotline at 247-5245.
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE: (800) 273-TALK (8255) or text “TALK” to 741741.
RED NACIONAL DE PREVENCIÓN DEL SUICIDIO: (888) 628-9454.
NATIONAL CRISIS TEXT HOTLINE: 741741
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE COUNSELING CENTER: 247-7212.
BOYS TOWN HOTLINE: (800) 448-3000.
SAFE2TELL COLORADO: (877) 542-7233 or online at
safe2tell.org
.
COLORADO CRISIS SUPPORT LINE: (844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255 or online at
coloradocrisisservices.org
to access a live chat available in 17 languages. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths about any crisis, 24 hours a day.
TREVOR PROJECT: (866) 488-7386. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth via online chat, text or phone.
SECOND WIND FUND: (720) 962-0706. This is not a crisis hotline, but the fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization requires a referral by a school counselor or mental-health professional.
SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP: Heartbeat of Durango meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Grief Center, 2243 Main Ave., second floor. For more information, call Janna at 749-1673.
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION: Colorado chapter information available at
afsp.org/chapter/afsp-colorado/
.
FOR MEN: A website for adult men contemplating suicide is available at
mantherapy.org
.
