Body found in Goliad identified as Guatemalan citizen (Victoria Advocate)

Body found in Goliad identified as Guatemalan citizen
Gheni Platenburg
Originally published August 8, 2011 at 6:51 p.m.
Updated August 8, 2011 at 11:15 p.m.

A man whose body was found in rural Goliad was identified Monday.

Based on his fingerprints, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has identified the man as Juan Manuel Ramirez Roldan, 35, of Guatemala, said Goliad County Sheriff Kirby Brumby.

Roldan, who was partially clothed and lacked identification, was found lying about 30 feet from the edge of Lemke Road about noon on Thursday.

Roldan, an illegal immigrant, had previously been captured at the border while trying to illegally enter the U.S., said Brumby. It is not known when Roldan entered the U.S. this last time.

However, Roldan's family told investigators that they had been contacted by a smuggler, also known as a coyote, informing them that Roldan was ill and he would be dropped off in Goliad County on his own.

"He was sick, overheated and probably had nothing to eat," said Brumby. "He just expired."

Roldan's body showed no signs of trauma.

Although an exact cause of death is still pending, authorities suspect his death was heat-related.