The body of a man, believed to be 38 year-old Matthew Shelters, was found Wednesday on a bank of Soda Creek just outside of Steamboat, CO. Missing for more than two months, Shelters was last seen around 12:20 AM on April 24th leaving the Back Door Grill on Oak Street.
Cari Hermacinski, a Routt County Commissioner, found the body while exploring the creek with friends on the Fourth. The body was severely decomposed, but Shelters’ wallet (with ID) and cellphone were found.
During the initial investigation, friends and family thoroughly searched the area and the Yampa River for Shelters. Deputies used Shelters’ cellphone data to determine an area where he may have gone missing, and it led them to believe he may have gone into the river.
An autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death. Shelters was loved by his community, and Hermacinski hopes that the discovery will bring the family some much-needed closure.
