TOOELE — The death of a man whose body was found on the edge of a fire that burned several acres in Soldier Canyon over the weekend has been ruled a homicide, authorities said.
The body was found on the west edge of the fire by crews on Sunday about 12:35 p.m., the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday. A white late ’90s Honda Accord was abandoned near the scene.
Tooele County Sheriff’s deputies responded after the body was found Sunday but had to wait to investigate until the fire was contained. After authorities were able to access the scene, they determined the suspicious death was a homicide.
As of Monday authorities were still investigating how the body and the fire were connected.
The body was sent to the state medical examiner’s office for identification. The man’s name will be released after officials receive positive identification and notify the family, according to the sheriff’s office.
The fire, which started Saturday, forced evacuations in the canyon. Fire authorities at the time estimated it had burned about 20 acres.
The sheriff’s office is asking for information on the car, and for any hunters, campers, hikers or other recreationalists who were in Soldier Canyon on Saturday, to call 435-277-4212.