On Oct. 19, a hunter called the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office to report finding a dead body in a state of decomposition in a remote area. Detectives were called to the scene and based on preliminary findings, including tattoo comparisons, it is believed to be the body of Cottonwood resident Spencer Goddard Morton, who was reported missing on Sept. 2.
The body was partially concealed by brush.
Detectives were called to the scene and based on preliminary findings, including tattoo comparisons, it is believed to be the body of Cottonwood resident Spencer Goddard Morton, who was reported missing to YCSO on Sept. 2.
Morton was last seen by family in mid-August. He was homeless but usually contacted family every couple of weeks.
He was last known to be camping in the area of Ogden Ranch Road near Cottonwood.
After receiving the original report, YCSO deputies located Morton’s campsite although there was no sign of Spencer. Spencer is an avid hiker with outdoor knowledge and has past military experience.
Since that time, extensive efforts were undertaken to locate Morton including a search operation, numerous interviews with family and friends and checking places Morton frequented.
YCSO did not issue a notice to media outlets about his disappearance until a press release and photo was sent out on Oct. 17, six weeks after he was reporting missing to YCSO.
The remains were released to the Yavapai County Medical Examiner who is in the process of determining cause of death and confirming identity based on medical records.
