Five Dead, One Missing in Unexplained Incident

Bodies Discovered in Culvert Near North Summit; One Decapitated

Patrick Parkinson, Of the Sentinel staff

Posted: 10/16/2004 04:48:17 PM MDT

STONE LAKE: The bodies of five men were discovered beneath a culvert in Old Echo County last night, authorities revealed.

The bodies were discovered by a passing fisherman, who called 911 on his cell phone, according to Deputy State Sheriff William Sherman.

Arriving at the scene, local troopers Herman Wendt and James Cosper entered the culvert to discover what appeared to be the aftermath of a fatal gunfight. Five male bodies were "strewn across the ground."

Sherman added that one of the bodies was decapitated.

"It appeared to have been some kind of premeditated showdown," detective Wendt said. "An ambush, almost, judging by the position of the bodies."

Detective Wendt added that it was "impossible to be sure" what had happened in the culvert.

At press time, the Utah State Police report that forensic teams have established positive identification of the victims and have also found additional evidence to be discussed at a press conference this afternoon.

Lacey Sherman contributed to this report.