Toppenish- Body is identified

TOPPENISH, Wash. — The man whose body was found today in a Lower Valley canal has been identified as 21-year-old Fernando Figueroa of Yakima.

Sheriff’s detectives say he may have suffered a gunshot wound. An autopsy will be conducted later this week.

Figueroa’s relatives, who had reported Figueroa missing less than two weeks ago, called the sheriff’s office this afternoon to report they had discovered a possible body in the canal near the intersection of Marion Drain and Campbell roads, Chief of Detectives Stew Graham said.

The body had been wrapped in black plastic before it was apparently dropped off a bridge at that location, Graham said.

Figueroa’s death is the first homicide reported in 2010 in Yakima County.

Anyone with information about the case may call the sheriff's office at 509-574-2500. Anonymous tips, with the possibility of a cash reward, may be reported to Crime Stoppers at 509-248-9980.


— Mark Morey

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/01/07/authorities-investigating-body-discovered-outside-toppenish