Body of missing man located south of Blythe

U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector recovered the body of a missing man 50 miles southwest of Blythe, Calif., on Friday.

Agent Shaun Kuzia, a spokesman for the Yuma Sector, said the Riverside County Sheriff's Office (RSCO) was contacted by concerned family members of a 60-year-old man, saying he left home nearly a week ago to pan for gold in the mountains southwest of Blythe.

“He had been missing for four days when his family contacted authorities,” Kuzia said.

Later that morning, Kuzia said RSCO deputies contacted the Blythe Border Patrol Station for assistance in searching for the missing man.

An intensive search was initiated, including Blythe Station Border Patrol agents, Yuma Sector BORSTAR agents, and Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine pilots.

Kuzia said that at about 1 p.m., a helicopter from the RSCO spotted the missing man's vehicle, a red Toyota pickup truck. CBP Office of Air and Marine pilots then located his body approximately ¼ mile from his vehicle a short time later.

Kuzia added that the cause of death has not been determined, but it may have been heat-related.

Border Patrol agents turned the scene over to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

To report suspicious activity, contact the Yuma Sector Border Patrol's toll free telephone number at 1-866-999-8727.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.