Montrose Authorities Find Vehicle and Body in Black Canyon

It's not the end result the Montrose County Sheriff's Office was hoping for.

Authorities have located the body of a young male in a remote area east of Montrose. According to the Montrose County Sheriff's Office, a 2018 black Chevy Tahoe was also located at the scene.

The sheriff's office says based on the "circumstances, the recovered paperwork, and the vehicle identification, it is presumed that the body is that of Walter Kent Jackson." Jackson is an 18-year-old student from Western Colorado University in Gunnison who has been missing since October 19. The vehicle found matched the description given when Jackson was reported missing.

Jackson was initially reported missing to Gunnison police on October 21. Based on an initial cell phone location, authorities were able to place Jackson in an area northwest of Montrose County. A more specific location was then indicated in an area east of Montrose where the vehicle was located.

The cause and manner of death and positive identification are pending autopsy results and toxicology analysis by Montrose County Coroner, Dr. Thomas Canfield, M.D. Authorities are waiting for clear conditions to begin recovery operations.