From staff reports
CARTHAGE, Mo. —
Carthage police on Thursday identified a man they believe to be the victim of a murder as Mario Gonzalez. The body of the 43-year-old male was found Wednesday morning in Spring River.
Carthage Police Chief Greg Dagnan said an autopsy of the victim is underway in the Boone County medical examiners office in Columbia. He said officials are not releasing the cause of death, adding “but definitely, from observations, we’re investigating it as a homicide.”
Gonzalez lived at the homeless camp in north Carthage near where his body was found and no relatives living in Carthage, Dagnan said.
“He had lots of friends and associates, but no relatives, so that was part of the problem we were having in notifying next of kin,” he said.
Dagnan said no arrests have been made, but the investigation is “gong well.”
He said about 45 officers, including Carthage police and other law enforcement officers who are part of the Tri-State Major Case Squad are investigating the case.
