The death of a man that occurred July 4 west of Mancos is being investigated as a possible homicide, according to Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin.
David Allen Mooney, 60, of Chino Valley, Arizona, was found dead at 7850 Road 37 west of Mancos, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Next of kin have been notified.
“The manner of death is suspected to be homicide,” Nowlin said. “An investigation has been ongoing since July 4.”
No charges have been filed or arrest warrants issued, he said, adding that “there is a person of serious interest” in the case.
Search warrants were obtained and executed for the Road 37 address, and for other locations, according to case reports.
Pieces of evidence, including a suspected weapon were collected, Nowlin said, and are being analyzed by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
“A lot of evidence was obtained,” he said. “The public is not in any danger. We are moving closer to a conclusion of the investigation.”
The manner of death was not released, and the suspected weapon was not identified because the investigation is ongoing.
According to case documents, a woman called Montezuma County dispatch around 8:45 a.m. July 4 to report that Mooney was unresponsive and not breathing. An ambulance and a sheriff’s deputy were dispatched, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Nowlin said it appeared he had been dead for several hours and had died at the residence.
An autopsy was performed, but the final report is not complete, said Montezuma County Coroner George Deavers. He said the cause of death is pending.
Mooney was living at the residence and did not live alone. He had been working in the area as a truck driver during the summer, and he has a residence in Arizona.
“His death has been devastating for the family,” Nowlin said.
