Man's remains removed from area canyon

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Albuquerque archaeologists recovered a man's remains from Christmas Canyon late Tuesday morning. Officials suspect the remains may have been buried in the area for at least 15 years.

The site of the excavation is less than a half mile north of the stop light at the intersection of Maloney Avenue and the Miyamura Overpass and is considered to be within the jurisdiction of the sheriff's department.

The bones were discovered Monday afternoon by a hiker who reported the finding to law enforcement. Local officials called for Albuquerque archeologists to help remove the remains that were buried underneath about 4 feet of vegetation, District Attorney Karl Gillson said.

Gillson said a sheet of plywood was found on top of the body and that investigators suspect the plywood was " ... placed on top of the body at the moment of the event."

He said all of the man's bones were found, which is unusual in this type of situation where wildlife or weather typically cause remains to scatter.

"We have been fortunate in the case," Gillson said.

Investigator Matt Hughbanks, of the McKinley County Sheriff's Department, said a team of Albuquerque archeologists worked to remove the remains from the deep "pit" situated west of the dirt road that leads to Gallup's archery range.

He disclosed no additional information about the investigation due to concerns that the inquiry would be compromised.

Officials from the sheriff's department, office of the medical investigator and district attorney's office were present at the scene.

A forensic pathologist will transport the skeletal remains to Albuquerque to determine a cause of death. Lt. Roger Mace, of the McKinley County Sheriff's Department, said the pathologist will most likely have to piece together the man's remains to see if any trauma was caused.

"It may be a little while before we know anything about it," Mace said.

He said it's possible that no foul play was involved and that an elderly deceased man's family may have buried him in the canyon because the family could not afford funeral costs.

"That's not too uncommon around here," Mace said.

Officials would not allow anyone, other than investigators, close to the excavation site. One official did say the find seemed "suspicious."

Investigator Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said city officers searched the same area for 15-year-old Clint Spiros' remains last year. Spiros was later found north of Tuesday's site.

Gillson asked for anyone with information about the remains or a missing person who might be connected to the case to call law enforcement at 722-7205.