Exposure determined as cause of death

The body of 66-year-old David E. Cathey was found at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 3 in the Sand Draw area around Gebo. According to information from the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office, Cathey’s body appeared to have been there about five to seven days before it was discovered, and an autopsy showed the cause of death was exposure.

According to the report, James Mischke and Holden Hergert were heading through the area to do some target shooting when they discovered the body, which had black skin due to the time it had been laying. The two did not disturb the body, notified authorities and directed them to where the body was.

A member of Cathey’s family said he had some dementia and liked to walk in the area he was found. Prior to Cathey’s body being found, a BLM ranger reported finding a vehicle registered to him parked at West Gebo, about 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2. A Hot Springs County deputy also received a call about the vehicle about a week prior.

However, since the deputy was contacted directly by a person and not through dispatch there was no incident report. There was no reason to believe there was anything suspicious about the vehicle.