Two Ophir men are under investigation for allegedly breaking into the home of a neighbor who was found dead, stealing several items that included a mountain bike, skis and marijuana.
“How people could be so disrespectful to the deceased and his property is beyond me,” San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters said in a news release.
On Sunday, Ophir resident Steven Root, 47, was found dead after the sheriff’s office responded to a welfare check. On Wednesday, San Miguel County Coroner Emil Sante confirmed the death was a suicide, and that no foul play was suspected.
According to Public Information Officer Susan Lilly, soon after deputies left Root’s home Sunday evening, a neighbor reported to police that two men were breaking into the residence.
Lilly said deputies started an investigation that led to the two Ophir men, and authorities were able to recover the bike and skis.
Lilly said as of noon Wednesday, no arrests had been made; the case was turned over to prosecutors in the 7th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
To get help
In La Plata County, visit www.sucap.org and click on Suicide Prevention for a list of trained gatekeepers.
Call the Axis Health Systems 24-hour Hotline at 247-5245.
Contact a mental-health professional; or for a referral, call 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255).
