Omar Merlos, 25, male, from Hotchkiss, Colorado, was reported missing on March 11, 2023, after he failed to arrive for his early-morning shift at the Short Stop convenience store where he typically opened the shop. Family and coworkers alerted authorities when he did not appear, prompting deputies to begin a search that evening.
On March 12, investigators located Merlos’ vehicle on Bear Creek Road just inside Gunnison County near Somerset. A coordinated search of the surrounding area led to the discovery of his body near Bear Creek, close to where the car was found. The scene and timeline placed the discovery roughly a day after he was last seen at his residence the prior night.
According to statements disseminated by local law enforcement and echoed by regional media, the preliminary investigation found no evidence of foul play and indicated there was no ongoing public safety concern connected to his death. Officials continued to treat the matter as a death investigation in the days that followed, and community notices emphasized that investigators did not believe a broader threat existed.
Authorities did not announce any arrests, nor did they identify a suspect or person of interest in connection with Merlos’ death. Public updates available after the recovery focused on confirming his identity, outlining the search and discovery near Bear Creek, and noting the absence of indications of criminal involvement. Memorial pages and community postings marked March 11, 2023, as the date associated with his loss, while official releases centered on the March 12 recovery.
