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Dead Body Found Floating in Zapata

By KGNS News

Story Created: Jan 24, 2012 at 11:21 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 24, 2012

A body of a 41-year-old Hispanic male was recovered from the river around 4:45 this afternoon.
It was found approximately four miles north of Beacon Lodge in Zapata County.
A Mexican voter identification card was found with the body, but authorities say they cannot be sure that the ID belonged to the victim, because the face was decomposed.
Sigifredo Gonzalez, Zapata County Sheriff: "It appears the body has been in the water for several days. It is in a state of decomposition. The body is still in tact, with the exception of you know...for the body being in the water for a couple of days, some things happen to the body. Other than that it is in decomposition and based on the weather we've been having, perhaps 4-5 days."
There is no evidence of foul play, but Judge Juana Maria Gutierrez ordered an autopsy to be sure.
The body has been transported to the Webb county medical examiners office.
Sheriff Gonzalez also says this is one of many bodies found in the river in the past year, many have been on the Mexican side.
He also says this could be someone who was trying to cross into the United States illegally through the low end of the river.
Valerie Bragg...Pro 8 News.