The McKinley County Sheriff’s Office has released information about a body found east of the Gallup Flea Market.

The body was that of Herbert Tom, 53, of Lukachukai.

Tom had been reported missing since December by the Chinle Police Department and was found by people walking in the area on May 3.

Merle Bates, head of investigations for the Sheriff’s Office, said the body had probably been there for some time and was badly decomposed, so much so that it was impossible to determine a cause of death.

“We’re hoping to learn more when an autopsy is done,” he said. The body has been sent to the Office of Medical Examiners in Albuquerque for an autopsy.