Agents find body

The body of a man believed to be an illegal immigrant was found Thursday morning in the desert southeast of Green Valley, a spokesperson for the U.S. Border Patrol said.

Agents on horse patrol were tracking a group of illegal immigrants when around 8:45 a.m. they discovered the body of the deceased male, which may have been there for up to a week, spokesperson Robert G. Daniels said.

The discovery was made a half-mile east of Interstate 19 near kilometer post 56, which is about six miles south of Green Valley.

The age of the male and cause of death could not be determined at the time, but Daniels says the man more than likely succumbed to dehydration and exposure.

Between Oct. 1 and the end of March, 39 illegal immigrants have been found dead in the Arizona desert, a number expected to spike during the upcoming summer months, Daniels said.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726