UPDATE: UNATTENDED DEATH IN SOCORRO, TX / VICTIM IDENTIFIED

RELEASE DATE / TIME : 02-04-2011 11:00 AM

 El Paso, TX-  El Paso County Sheriff’s Investigators have released the identity of the male Victim found deceased in a desert arroyo in Socorro, TX. The Victim has been identified as HOWARD JAMES PAUL (76) born in Konawa, Oklahoma. Sheriff’s Investigators have had difficulty locating MR. PAUL’S family or next of kin - If anyone can assist Sheriff’s Investigator's please call (915) 546-2280. MR. PAUL’S exact of death remains unknown as autopsy results are pending.

HOWARD JAMES PAUL (76)

BACKGROUND:

EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS – Wednesday morning, January 26^th, 2011, at about 9:25am, Sheriff’s Office Patrol Units were dispatched to the desert area near the 700 block of Janis El Paso County, TX in reference to a unattended death possible dog mauling.

Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation’s Crimes Against Persons Detectives were requested. Upon their arrival it was determined that the deceased was an elderly male transient who had been living in an arroyo located behind businesses for several years.

Sheriff’s Detectives are continuing with this unattended death investigation. It is the Sheriff’s Office policy to treat all unattended deaths as they would a homicide until ruled otherwise (procedural aspect of a homicide due to the delicacy of the investigation).

Sheriff’s Investigators have previously indicated that foul play is not suspected in this death but will have confirmation &  more information upon the findings of an autopsy.

PHOTOS COURTESY: EPCSO

END OF RELEASE

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the   State of Texas to be Internationally Accredited from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4^th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy