CORTEZ, Colo.-
The man suspected of killing American Indian weaver Anita Tsosie was found dead at the base of a cliff in Arizona, and investigators said Tuesday he may have committed suicide by jumping off the 200- to 250-foot precipice.
The body of Herman Tsosie, Anita Tsosie’s estranged husband, was found Monday on the Navajo reservation about 90 miles from Cortez and about a mile from his pickup, Montezuma County Undersheriff David Hart said.
“Our assumption is that he committed suicide,” Hart said.
The cause of death had not been determined. An autopsy was planned after the body is returned to Cortez.
Investigators believe Herman Tsosie, 53, shot and killed his wife at her home south of Cortez on April 9. Authorities said the Tsosies were in divorce proceedings and that Herman Tsosie was the only suspect.
His pickup was located Sunday night. Trackers followed his trail to the edge of the cliff and his body was found at the base.
Authorities said earlier the body was about 1,000 feet below the pickup, but Hart said that was the total difference in elevation between the two sites, not the height of the cliff.
A New Mexico State Police helicopter and two Navajo SWAT teams also participated in the search.
Anita Tsosie, 48, described herself as a third-generation Navajo weaver. She had won best of show and other honors at the 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market and was recognized in 2006 for being the most innovative in her category. She also has earned first place honors at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial.
Hart said investigators were still searching for the weapon used to kill Anita Tsosie.
