crime scene tape

Cochise County detectives are investigating a body found on the railroad tracks near Mescal, officials said.

Shortly after 10 a.m. Monday, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office was notified of the body on the tracks. Deputies and medics went to the scene and found a man face-down between the two rails in the middle of the southern stretch of track, said Carol Capas, a department spokeswoman.

The man suffered "serious body trauma" and was non-responsive. Deputies found a voucher from a California casino with a name and account number on it and were able to obtain a name, date of birth and identification number from a Mexico ID card that had been used on Dec. 30, Capas said.

Medics pronounced the man deceased and took the body to the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy to determine the manner of death and a possibly confirm the man's identity, Capas said.

The Mexican Consulate was notified of the incident and will be assisting in his identification, Capas said.

Union Pacific Law Enforcement officers also responded to investigate and learned that the incident may have happened shortly after the 9:37 a.m. eastbound train passed through the area, Capas said.

The Cochise County Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation and will release additional information when it becomes available.


Become a #ThisIsTucson member! Your contribution helps our team bring you stories that keep you connected to the community. Become a member today.

Contact reporter Caitlin Schmidt at cschmidt@tucson.com or 573-4191