Autopsy on body found in river yields few clues
Wednesday, September 28, 2005 2:19 PM PDT
Andrew Cutler Argus Observer
VALE
An autopsy was completed Tuesday on a body found floating in the Snake River.
According to police, the report indicated there was no evidence of foul play, however, it is still not being ruled out.
"The report concluded there was no blunt force trauma, no stab wounds and no bullet wounds," Malheur County Undersheriff Brian Wolfe said. "We are not ruling anything out."
MCSO deputies were notified of the body at 11:06 a.m. Monday by Payette County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to the Oregon side of the river and were able to locate and retrieve the body by boat about a mile and a half to two miles north of Ontario.
The autopsy also revealed the body was a Hispanic male, approximately 5-foot-8 and around 165 pounds. Police said the body had been in the river between a week and a half and three weeks.
"The body had been in the river long enough that it made it hard to tell," Wolfe said.
Police continue to follow-up what few leads are available, checking with agencies in Idaho and Oregon. Police also flew the Snake River on Tuesday, to locate homeless camps. Wolfe said deputies walked into those camps and conducted interviews, however, no one recalled anyone fitting the description. The body had a wallet, but no identification was present.
"There was a card from Shutter Creek Correctional Institution, which is like a boot camp," Wolfe said. "These cards are given to people that successfully complete the boot camp, but there is no name on it, and it doesn't mean this person was there."
In other public safety news, the Ontario Police Department is looking for a suspect following an early morning traffic stop Wednesday. Officers stopped a 1987 Toyota pick-up for unlawful display of plates at approximately 2 a.m. in Ontario. The driver - Nick Wilson, 28, Ontario - fled in the vehicle and was able to elude police. Police said the chase occurred in the Northwest Second and Northwest Third Street areas of Ontario. Wilson, whose driving privileges are suspended, is wanted on outstanding warrants. The passenger - Gloria Hernandez, 27, Caldwell - was cited and released on a contempt of court warrant.
"Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Nick Wilson should contact the Ontario police," OPD Sgt. Jeff Milton said.
OPD also arrested an Ontario man after he turned himself in on a felony warrant. Waylon Duncan, 36, Ontario, was arrested shortly before 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, after he called OPD earlier in the night. Duncan agreed to turn himself over to authorities and he was arrested at Ontario City Hall on a felony warrant out of Malheur County. The warrant stems from an earlier charged of non-support and assault in the fourth degree. Payette County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a domestic disturbance with shots fired late Wednesday evening.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., deputies, along with Fruitland police, responded to 1380 Fairview Ave., south of Fruitland. Officers arrived and found several subjects at the house, with a shot fired through the front door.
Officers arrested James L. McElroy, Weiser, for felony unlawful discharge of firearm at a dwelling. Police said other charges are pending against McElroy. Also arrested was Grandy Sutton and Amber McElroy who live at the Fairview residence. Both were arrested on unrelated charges to the domestic disturbance.
mike may wrote on Oct 28, 2009 12:47 AM: