Decedent identified in Rifle area death – Garfield County, Colorado
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Decedent identified in Rifle area death

Manner of death is homicide; occurred near Silt Mesa

PRESS RELEASE
October 20, 2026

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Subject: Death investigation in Rifle, CO area; decedent identified.

Identity of the deceased: Eliezer Vega Morales, 18-year-old male, resident of Rifle, Colorado.

On Saturday, at approximately 9:09 p.m., the Garfield County Coroner’s Office was dispatched to a death at a residence in the Silt Mesa area near Rifle, Colorado.

At 10 p.m., Garfield County Coroner’s Office investigators pronounced Mr. Vega Morales dead.

An autopsy was completed on Monday, October 19, 2026, by the Garfield County Coroner’s Office contract forensic pathologist. In cooperation with the ongoing law enforcement investigation, the cause of death will not be released at this time. The manner of death is homicide. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is the lead law enforcement agency.

Respectfully,
Robert M. Glassmire
Garfield County Coroner