Missing Eagle Mountain man found deceased in his car at Lehi Park and Ride

Eli Merlin Dutson. Photo Courtesy: Facebook

UTAH COUNTY, Utah, Aug. 18, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A 19-year-old man who had been missing from Eagle Mountain since Aug. 8 was found deceased in his car Friday night.

Eli “Merlin” Dutson and his vehicle were located at the Lehi Park and Ride by his family after they “pinged” his cellphone, according to Utah Transit Authority spokesman Carl Arky.

Arky said it isn’t known how long Dutson was at that location, and the cause of death is still under investigation.

The young man was reported missing after his family hadn’t heard from him since Aug. 8, when he spoke on the phone with his mother.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office issued a news release on Aug. 13, along with a poster Dutson’s family had prepared, seeking any information as to his whereabouts.

According to UCSO Sgt. Spencer Cannon, it had been reported that Dutson’s vehicle was last seen Aug. 9 between Daniels Summit and the Soldier Summit campground, heading towards Duchesne.

His family said he showed no signs of being depressed or suicidal, Cannon said.

UTA police are handling the investigation. The Medical Examiner’s Office will issue a report to the police, providing more details as to the time and cause of the man’s death.

Gephardt Daily will update this story as more information is made available.

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