Death of man found in wash ruled a suicide

The cause of death of a body found under the Smith-Enke bridge in the Santa Cruz Wash Tuesday morning was ruled a suicide. The victim was a 31-year-old Caucasian male who was living with family in Province, according to Maricopa Police, which is withholding the man’s name “out of respect for the family.”

Maricopa Police Department spokesman Sgt. Stephen Judd said an autopsy by the Pima County Medical Examiner “confirms our initial investigation that it was a suicide.”

The man was reported missing by his family Monday evening and discovered by a passerby Tuesday morning (see Body found under Smith-Enke bridge). The man lived in Tucson prior to moving to Maricopa 2-3 months ago to be close to his family.

Judd said he was “hesitant to release details due to the graphic nature” of the death, but did say no weapons were involved.

File photo