FALLON - A body believed to be that of a missing 62-year-old Fallon man was recovered by the Churchill County Sheriff's Office on Thursday.
Sheriff Rich Ingram said Dennis Heck's body was found, although a cause of death has yet to be determined. An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday, which also will confirm the identity of the body.
However, Ingram said the CCSO has a strong belief the body is that of Heck.
According to a press release from the CCSO, the body was discovered 11 miles southeast of Fallon.
A person of interest was identified early in the investigation; however, the name of that person is not being released at this time, the CCSO press release stated.
According to Ingram, Heck was last seen at Fox Peak in Fallon on Sept. 22 at about 9:30 p.m. Heck's black GMC pickup truck was later located in Arizona and was in possession of Michael Harder, who was known to have contact with Heck.
Ingram said Harder had been arrested by Arizona officers on an outstanding warrant for embezzlement. Ingram said CCSO has been following up on numerous leads with the assistance of law enforcement agencies in Nevada and Arizona as well as working with family members in an effort to locate Heck.
Ingram said the Churchill County District Attorney's Office will proceed with a warrant to have Harder extradited to Fallon.
"They're is still some information out there to be had," Ingram said.
Heck worked in the electrical department for the city of Fallon and retired
in 2008. Mayor Ken Tedford Jr., said Heck was a great man who was loyal to
the city.
Tedford added that Heck wasn't one who sought out recognition for his
accomplishments. Tedford spoke about how Heck was the driving force behind
changing the lighting ceremony for the city's Christmas tree from a light
switch to a plunger.
"Dennis was a wonderful guy," Tedford said. "He's going to be sorely missed.
Not just by me, but by all of his friends at the city. Our heartfelt
feelings go out to his family."
In addition, last year Heck provided an undisclosed amount of money to the
Mayor's Youth Fund to help Churchill County High School students attend the
prom.
"He wanted to help out, but he wanted to do it anonymously," Tedford said.
"He brings in an envelope full of cash ... the next day he shows up again
with another envelope full of money."