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Rio Blanco officials identify man found dead on trail

Craig Press Staff Report

RIO BLANCO COUNTY — Law enforcement has identified a man found deceased Saturday in Rio Blanco County.

About 3:30 p.m. Jan. 5, Rio Blanco County Communications received a 911 call, according to a news release from Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office.

Approximately 1 1/2 miles up the Marvine Trail in the Flat Tops Wilderness, about 35 miles east of Meeker, a male party had been found who was unconscious and not breathing.

The sheriff’s office, Meeker Fire and Rescue, and Careflight responded. First responders arrived on the trail to find parties performing CPR. The man was later pronounced dead.

Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office and Meeker Fire and Rescue transported the deceased to Pioneers Hospital, where he was identified as 48-year-old Brett Smithers, of Meeker.

Autopsy reports are pending, but no foul play was initially suspected, according to the release.


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