UPDATED: Police say body found inside vehicle near Dinosaur Crossing was woman who took her own life

ST. GEORGE — A vehicle with a deceased woman inside was discovered early Wednesday on the Middleton Wash Trail across the street from the Dinosaur Crossing shopping center in St. George. Police said later in the day that the woman took her own life.

A police vehicle blocks off part of the Middleton Wash trail across from the Dinosaur Crossing shopping center where a body was discovered inside a vehicle parked on on April 21 2021 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News

Officers said the discovery of the vehicle and woman in her late 40s took place between 6-7 a.m. It is unclear how long the vehicle and the body inside had been on scene.

A large group of St. George Police in more than a dozen vehicles descended on the scene, many still in their personal vehicles.  

Police vehicles and yellow police tape blocked off part of the Middleton Wash Trail, and officers held back any onlookers. 

St. George Police Officer Tiffany Mitchell told St. George News the investigation is ongoing, but at this point, she emphasized there is no threat to the public.

“I doesn’t look like suspicious circumstances,” Mitchell said. “There is no risk to the public.” 

Site of a body discovered inside a vehicle parked on the Middleton Wash trail across from the Dinosaur Crossing shopping center on April 21 2021. St. George, Utah | Photo via Google Maps | Click to enlarge

By 9:30 a.m., the scene had been cleared and the trail reopened. Later in the day, Mitchell said the death appeared to be a suicide.

Along with St. George Police, Gold Cross Ambulance initially arrived, but the woman was declared dead on scene. 

The vehicle was parked on the trail itself, its make and model not disclosed at this time pending family notification. 

Police and detectives were still on the scene as of 8:15 a.m., and Mitchell said the Washington County attorney and coroner were likely to come on scene as well.

This is a developing story.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings. 

Resources

If you or someone you know is in danger because of suicidal thoughts or actions, call 911 immediately. Suicide is an emergency that requires help by trained medical professionals and should always be treated seriously.

Nationwide suicide hotlines, 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (8255), have counselors available 24/7. The Southwest Behavioral Health Center also offers help for Southern Utah residents; call 800-574-6763 or 435-634-5600.

Other resources include Suicide.org, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the American Association of Suicidology. All provide comprehensive information and help on the issue of suicide, from prevention to treatment to coping with loss.

Updated 3 p.m., April 20: Update on death being a suicide.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.

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