The body of Durango resident Jeff Davies, 41, was discovered hanging from a tree by a woman walking by in the 400 block of 11th Street at 8:01 a.m. Sunday, according to authorities and a police report.

Lt. Ray Shupe, spokesman with the Durango Police Department, said Monday that police are investigating the case as an “unattended death,” which means Davies is presumed to have died with no witnesses present.

Because of the nature of the investigation details related to the case cannot be released, he said.

“We are still waiting for the pathology report even though an autopsy was performed (Monday),” Shupe said in an email Monday afternoon.

La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith also said Davies’ body was transported to Grand Junction Monday for the autopsy. The pathologist also will include a toxicology analysis in this case, she said; the final report will not be ready for a few weeks because toxicology results require more time.

Generally, a pathologist from Grand Junction travels once a week, typically Wednesday, to perform autopsies in the county. But Shupe said sending the body to Grand Junction was not unusual.

“This is standard procedure for us, and was only scheduled for (Monday) because the pathologist had an opening,” he said.

Davies’ case requires further investigation and analysis, Smith said.

“A hanging is something that is always autopsied,” she said.

The detective assigned the case is looking to speak with anyone who saw Davies Saturday night into Sunday morning or anyone with information related to the investigation, Shupe said.

Those with information can contact police Detective Joe Farmer at 375-4732.

vguthrie@durangoherald.com