On February 27, 2015, at approximately 9:30 am, the body of a man was found in an open field on the south side of Crookton Road near Route 66 in Seligman near BNSF railroad tracks. The reporting party discovered the body while on a routine walk in the area. Seligman fire personnel were already on scene and confirmed that the man was deceased. He has since been identified as 49-year-old Desmond Andrus of Lakeside, California.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Bureau were dispatched to handle the investigation. Based on the victim’s injuries, detectives believe the subject jumped from a moving train. Detectives located shoes, papers, and a bottle of liquor belonging to the subject near the tracks. Andrus’ body was found about ½ mile from these items indicating the possibility he wandered from where he landed to where his body was found.
Detectives also learned that Andrus was seen near train tracks in Flagstaff during the afternoon of February 26, 2015. During the 9 PM hour on February 26th, YCSO deputies were dispatched to check railroad tracks in the Seligman area regarding reports by freight train personnel of a man lying near tracks. Deputies could not locate the subject at that time.
Detectives were briefed by Medical Examiner personnel who provided a preliminary cause of death as exposure and other natural circumstances. Detectives are working with BNSF authorities to gather any additional evidence related to Andrus’ death based on information from train personnel running trains in this area during the indicated timeframes.
If anyone has information regarding this incident or recently had contact with Andrus, please contact YCSO Criminal Investigation Bureau at 928-771-3278. Refer to case number 15-007394.