Body of man found in Edwards identified

EDWARDS, Colorado — A man who was found dead Sunday afternoon in his truck has been identified as 28-year-old Matthew Hetland, of Grand Junction.

Hetland had been probably been dead in his truck, parked at a rest stop parking lot off Edwards Access Road, since Thursday night, Eagle County Coroner Kara Bettis said.

He may have died from natural causes, according to preliminary findings from an autopsy done Monday, but authorities won’t know for sure until a toxicology report is done, Bettis said.

Hetland was found lying in the truck, but authorities don’t know what he was doing at the rest stop, Bettis said. People can camp or park there overnight.

“It looked like he was taking a rest,” she said.

Criminal activity is not suspected, authorities said.

Hetland had been doing office equipment repair in the Vail Valley and after he didn’t return to Grand Junction Thursday, his girlfriend reported him missing Friday, authorities said.


Staff Writer Steve Lynn can be reached at (970) 748-2931 or slynn@vaildaily.com.