Body found, believed to be missing Othello-area man

WARDEN — Identification is pending on a body found near Warden that may be that of a missing Othello-area man.

Audel Espinoza-Duenas, 45, was reported missing Aug. 4, after last being seen near his home about five miles south of the Potholes Reservoir. Grant County Sheriff’s detectives had asked for the public’s help in finding him.

“Detectives found the body at about 10:30 a.m. (Friday) at Warden Outfall public fishing access area,” wrote Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer.

The fishing access area is near State Route 262, about one mile east of Road M SE, Foreman wrote, and about six miles northwest of Warden.

“The body answers the description of Espinoza-Duenas.” Foreman wrote. “The body is in the care of Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison, whose staff will confirm the identity and perform an autopsy.”

The case is still under investigation.