The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has identified a body found in April as a hiker, Velmurugan Ramnathan, who had gone missing.
According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), on April 8th, 2023 deputies responded to the call of a dead body located approximately 1 mile east of I-17 near mile marker 254. A DPS Trooper was originally contacted by 3 females hiking in the area. The females stated they observed a body in a watering hole nearby. DPS responded and confirmed the subject was deceased.
Deputies arrived soon after and found the deceased subject was partially submerged in the water/mud. The subject was also completely nude; however, personal items were located near the watering hole as well as possible other physical evidence. Due to the suspicious nature of the incident YCSO Criminal detectives were notified. At the time the man was unidentified.
On July 12th, 2023, the hiker was positively identified as the 40-year-old Ramnathan from Phoenix. Through the investigation it was found Velmurugan was found deceased due to accidental drowning as there were no other injuries on the body of Velmurugan.