Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: Safford Police found the body of a man in a farm field early Saturday morning. The body appeared to have been deceased for days.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – Police made a horrific discovery while searching for an arsonist early Saturday morning when they came upon a deceased male in a farm field north of the intersection of 14th Avenue and U.S. Highway 70.
Authorities were in the area at about 12:33 a.m. searching for the arsonist who lit the Graham County Courthouse on fire and came upon the body of what appeared as a homeless man.
The man was not positively identified at the time the police report was written, but authorities believe they may know who it is. The Gila Herald is withholding the name due to no positive identification and because we are not aware if family members have been contacted.
According to the police report, the body appeared to have been there for at least three days due to evidence at the scene. Authorities believe the man died around the time of the last precipitation that fell in the area. There were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play.
A funeral home removed the body for the Graham County Medical Examiner, who advised an autopsy would be performed.
