Authorities identify person who was discovered dead at north Bellingham encampment
Authorities have identified a deceased man whose body was discovered at a Bellingham homeless encampment on Oct. 14 as Juan Carlos Cortez-Lopez, 36.
Police responded to the camp located on private property southeast of the corner of E. Stuart and Deemer roads, behind the Walmart on Guide Meridian, after receiving a call around 5 a.m. Oct. 14.
Police found Cortez-Lopez’s body in the encampment near a structure made of wood and tarps, according to police spokeswoman Lt. Claudia Murphy. He had no identification when police found him.
The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Monday, Dec. 11, that the deceased is Cortez-Lopez. His cause of death remains under investigation.
This story was originally published December 11, 2023 at 10:30 AM.
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