UPDATE 2:50 P.M. Monday:
SPOKANE -- Spokane County Sheriff's detectives confirmed Monday that the victim found dead on Day-Mt. Spokane Road Sunday was that of a 25-year-old male who died of homicidal violence.
However, detectives say they have not been able to locate the victim's last known address, and believe he may have lived outside the Spokane area.
Detectives report the victim was likely murdered somewhere else, wrapped in blankets, and his remains dumped at the location on Day-Mt. Spokane Road.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Press release from Spokane Co. Sheriff's Dept.
SPOKANE -- On a day when scores of visitors poured into Green Bluff to celebrate the arrival of Fall and an abundance of ripe apples and other crops, Day-Mt. Spokane Road was closed for hours as detectives investigated the discovery of a body along the shoulder of the roadway.
A pair of walkers Sunday discovered the body partially concealed in blankets at Day-Mt. Spokane at Randall Road between 11 and 11:30 a.m. Their find launched an investigation by sheriff's detectives to determine the circumstances.
The pair told deputies they regularly walk that stretch of roadway, but had seen nothing unusual in the area the previous evening. However, on Sunday they spotted a pile of blankets alongside the road that contained apparent human remains.
They flagged down one motorist who refused them the use of his cellular phone to report their discovery to police. A second motorist stopped and allowed use of his phone to call 911.
Deputy Marc Melville was first to arrive and quickly confirmed that there was a human body inside what appears to be two blankets. Several black plastic bags were also found in the pile.
Detectives recovered a wallet from the pants of the person, but they were unable to confirm that paperwork in the wallet belonged to the decedent. They said it will take autopsy Monday before the identity of the person can be ascertained.
Investigators Sunday night did not indicate if there was an apparent cause of death, but labeled the death suspicious and said it would be investigated as a homicide until exact cause of death was determined.
Detectives canvassed residences a half mile north and south of the body to identify other potential witnesses, and investigators also walked the roadway in each direction looking for potential evidence.
Day-Mt. Spokane Road was closed at the site from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call Crime Check at 456-2233.
