Tox results show LSD, marijuana in Heard's body
Gunnison Police announced Monday that toxicology results have shown former Western State Colorado University student-athlete Dammion Heard had LSD and THC in his system at the time of his death.
Police received a missing person report for Heard, a freshman varsity wrestler at Western this past season, April 1. The next day, Gunnison law enforcement located Heard's body approximately eight miles east of Gunnison on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Police said Heard's body was discovered hanging from a tree branch a short distance from his vehicle, found parked at the Cabin Creek Road turn-off from Hwy. 50.
Heard's father, Gary Heard, has expressed belief in recent months that his son was murdered.
However, an autopsy report obtained July 25 by Gunnison Police indicates that no evidence of significant injury was found on Heard's body, "other than that caused by hanging." The autopsy report identified the cause of Heard’s death as hanging and the manner of death as suicide.
Police said that the extent of the requested toxicological analysis delayed the autopsy report, but the results of that analysis showed the presence of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and THC, the primary intoxicant in marijuana, in Heard's body at the time of his death.
Police said that they do not have evidence or information at this point in time that would contradict the pathologist's findings, contained in the autopsy report.
Still, the investigation into Heard's death is ongoing. Police said they're awaiting the results of forensic testing of evidence collected during the investigation and submitted to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Additionally, police said information has been obtained indicating that additional witnesses may have been in the Cabin Creek area during the time that Heard went missing. Police request that anyone who may have been in the Cabin Creek area between May 30 and April 2, or who may have information pertitent to the investigation, call 970.641.8202.
Look for a full report on the state of the investigation in the July 31 edition of the Times.
