La Grange man's body found in Tuolumne County

By EMILIE RAGUSO , eraguso@modbee.com

last updated: July 24, 2008 10:52:26 AM

A missing La Grange man was found dead near his truck in south Tuolumne County, authorities announced today.

Foul play is not suspected.

Roy Ward Watson, 43, left home July 16 to camp and cut wood, Tuolumne County Sheriff's Lt. Dan Bressler said.

Watson left at 3 p.m. to cut firewood in the Soapstone Ridge area of Mariposa County, officials said. He was not heard from again, Bressler said.

Watson's wife told officials it was common for him to visit areas around Coulterville, Greeley Hill, Rainbow Pools and Cherry Lake.

A missing persons report was filed Saturday with the Mariposa County Sheriff's Department. A search, which included surveillance from airplanes and a helicopter, began that afternoon.

Authorities reported that Watson suffered from multiple sclerosis and took medication to control his condition. Without the medication, they said, Watson could have had trouble walking and become disoriented.

Tuesday, Tuolumne County sheriff's deputy Dan Crow found Watson's white 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup with an extended cab near Hardin Flat and Golden Arrow roads, close to Groveland just outside Yosemite National Park.

Crow found Watson's body nearby. Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Bee staff writer Emilie Raguso can be reached at eraguso@modbee.com or 578-2235.

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