HAMILTON – Authorities in the Bitterroot are investigating the discovery of a body near Darby.
Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton says the death occurred on a Forest Service road in the Rye Creek area southeast of Darby.
A resident reported finding a burned vehicle in the area with a body in it on Thursday. Sheriff Holton said in a news release that at this time it appears that a man from out of state likely committed suicide inside the vehicle.
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire and positively identify the decedent and notify the family, according to Sheriff Holton.
Anyone with information or knowledge of a black two-door Jeep with out of state license plates in the Darby area between Christmas and January 2 is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (406) 363-3033.
Sheriff Holton said detectives have been working with a local police department from the state the vehicle is registered in as well as the Montana State Crime Laboratory in Missoula.
No further information will be released until family has been identified and notified.
