Homicide Victim Found Along Train Tracks Near Hudson

HUDSON, Colo. (CBS4) - Weld County deputies are investigating a homicide after a body was found near some train tracks along Interstate 76 between Lockbuie and Hudson Saturday morning.

The body was found around 8 a.m. by a train conductor. Through fingerprints deputies were able to identify the victim as Armando Mata-Magallanes, 30. He was reported missing Friday in Adams County. He lived in Commerce City.

Police said Mata-Magallanes was last seen in a 1983 blue Volkswagen Rabbit. Police announced they located the car but didn't release any other information.

An autopsy was performed. The cause of death has been ruled a fatal gunshot wound.

Deputies have been using horses to search the area where the body was found.

"The distances could be as much as 50 yards up to just a few yards between there. It's variety of ground -- short grass, tall grass; certainly some runoff ditches and swampy areas in and along there," Margie Martinez with the Weld County Sheriff's Office said.

Authorities believe Mata-Magallanes was the victim of a homicide because they couldn't find a weapon nearby. They say the body had been lying by the train tracks for about 12 hours before it was discovered.