Just after 3 pm on Aug. 28, Metro Dispatch received a report about a deceased person located north of the BNSF tracks, adjacent to Elizabeth Street and East Highway 66.

Gallup Police Department officers and detectives responded to the location and conducted an investigation to determine the cause of death.

Identification was difficult due to the state of the body, but positive identification was made Aug. 29, and the next of kin was notified.

The deceased was identified as Thomas Heredia, 34.

On Aug. 20, GPD Officer Douglas Hoffman took a Missing Persons report on Heredia.

Hoffman attempted to, but did not, locate him, and entered Heredia as a Missing Persons into the National Crime Information Center in order to send the bulletin nationwide.

Detective Khaera Chee was assigned the case and met with several friends and family in attempt to locate Heredia. Chee visited possible locations and was still investigating the case when the body was found.

The cause of death is pending the completion of the Office of the Medical Examiners report.