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E-mail This StoryAuthorities have successfully identified the body of a man found near an abandoned gas station, at 2498 Avenue K, as Candelario Ortega, 48.
Collin County Medical Examiner’s office has determined Ortega’s death as a homicide. Police say circumstances surrounding this murder are still under investigation.
Johnson said at about 2:17 p.m. Thursday a resident reported the discovery of the body to police on patrol in the area behind an abandoned Fina gas station near Park Boulevard and K Avenue.
According to Collin County Central Appraisal District, the longtime abandoned property belonged to University Park resident Carl Ann Luby.
Before the Ortega’s identity was released potential family members from Plano to Southwest portions of Louisiana have inundated staff at the Police Department, the Collin County Medical Examiner’s office and The Star Courier with calls and e-mails inquiring if the body of the man could be their missing relative
Prior to the successful contact of Ortega’s next of kin officers and the medical examiner’s office would not identify the body except to describe the deceased only as an adult male.
Dr. William Rohr, Collin County medical examiner, said he has been unsuccessful in attempts to contact a next of kin for the man, until now.
Detectives took a similar approach with the case.
“Right now they are trying to locate the relatives, and that’s a big part of our investigation. Until we do, we won’t release any information,” said Plano police spokesperson Detective Michael Johnson early Thursday. “It’s out of respect, of course.”
If you have any information regarding this investigation, contact the Plano Police at 972-941-2148 or the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office at 972-548-3775.
Contact staff writer Joshua C. Johnson at 972-398-4255 or joshua.johnson@scntx.com
