Body of missing man found in Twain Harte area
A Ponderosa Hills man was found dead Wednesday near where he was last seen Sunday night leaving a home on Laramie Lane in the Brentwood Park area of Twain Harte, the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office announced.
The Sheriff’s Office announced Monday in a Facebook post that it was asking for help from the public to find Arturo “Art” Madrid Jr., 46, described as 5-foot4, 190 pounds, bald and with a black beard.
Madrid was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, jeans and Harley-davidson hat when he left the Laramie Lane residence about 6 p.m. Sunday. He had been drinking and was on foot, the Sheriff’s Office said.
In an update posted at 4:58 p.m. Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office announced that Madrid was found deceased near his last known location and that his next of kin had been notified.
“We extend our greatest condolences to the friends and family of Arturo during this time,” the post stated.
Sheriff’s Deputy Ashley Boujikian, spokeswoman for the agency, stated the next step in the case will be to conduct an autopsy to determine Madrid’s cause of death.
Before the finding of Madrid’s body was announced, a Facebook page named “Find Art Madrid” posted an update at 12:04 p.m. Wednesday that stated the search for him was continuing on foot near where he was last seen on Laramie Lane and near his home in Ponderosa Hills.
The post stated that Madrid’s family went after him shortly after he left the residence, but there was no further sign of him.
“Thank you to all of those near and far who are aiding in the search,” the post stated. “Our heart aches for our family’s Popa.”
Family members who spoke to The Modesto Bee, including Madrid’s son and niece, said they are concerned that he was underdressed for freezing temperatures in the area.