A body found Saturday morning in the South Canal at Uncompahgre Road southeast of Montrose has been identified as disc jockey Rick Steele, according to the Montrose County coroner.
Dr. Thomas Canfield said Steele, who disappeared July 1, drowned.
Canfield ruled Steele’s death accidental. The body was identified based on Steele’s dental records.
Toxicology results are pending.
Canfield said Steele’s dogs were with him when he disappeared. The dogs, Ernie, a border collie, and Katie, a Brittany spaniel, were found a mile apart, leading Canfield to believe one of the dogs had gotten into the canal.
The coroner said Steele may have gone into the canal after the dog and was unable to get back out.
Steele, 48, did a morning show for 103.7 FM The Blast in Montrose. He was reported missing July 2 when he did not show up for his daily talk show.
A Montrose County sheriff’s deputy discovered his body pressed up against a grate in the canal.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
