Body found close to Mattawa

MATTAWA — A badly decomposed human body discovered in an old homestead by the property's owner Friday has launched a homicide investigation, authorities reported Monday.

The property is two miles west of town in the 23000 block of Road U SW. Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived about 9:20 p.m. Friday to confirm the discovery and seal off the area for the night before the Grant County Coroner and detectives could exhume the body on Saturday, the GCSO stated.

"The homicide is under investigation and will require forensic determination to identify the badly decomposed body," a GCSO release stated.

Chief Deputy John Turley said the body was that of a male of undetermined age and was stuffed in a corner of the dugout earthen home and covered with a sleeping bag and some cloth.

Turley said the man's death involved suspicious circumstances and the body will be transported to the King County Medical Examiner's Office in Seattle Tuesday where evidence collected at the scene will be completely analyzed.

Property owner Kelly Bird told authorities he discovered the body while he was showing some visitors the old style home, Turley said.

Apparently, a severed hand that was lying on the sleeping bag and cloth drew the attention of Bird and his visitors to the man's body under the covering, which was not readily visible, Turley said.