UPDATE: The Coconino County Sheriff's Office confirms search and rescue members have located the body of Tanya Morris. No word on cause of death.
According to CCSO spokesperson Gerry Blair, Morris' body was found at about 11:55 a.m. Wednesday about a mile and half from her car and about 100 feet from where searchers found her shoes on Tuesday.
Morris' body was found with assistance of the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Response Team, Search Dog Unit, using a specially trained scent dog. Her body had been covered by snow and was not initially visible.
Initial information from the scene according to Blair is that she possibly died from exposure to the elements. No evidence of foul play was found at the scene.
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Department will complete the investigation because her body was found in Yavapai County just across the line from Coconino. Both agencies were involved in the search.
ORIGINAL: FLAGSTAFF - Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and members of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit are searching for a missing woman.
According to CCSO Tanya Morris, 39, from Flagstaff has been missing since late Monday evening.
Investigators discovered Morris called a friend around 6 p.m Monday and said she was going to walk her dog and return home, but she has not been seen or heard from since then.
Gerry Blair, with the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, says they found Morris' dog Max before sunset on Tuesday along with some of her clothing. Relatives were called in to identify the dog and the clothing. Max was found about a mile from Morris' vehicle abandoned.
Her vehicle was located off of South Interstate Highway 17 at the overlook south of Munds Park, but she was nowhere to been found.
Morris is 5'3'', about 120 pounds, blonde hair and blue eyes. She as walking her male Shepherd/Husky mix dog named Max. The dog is black/brown and white in color and is very protective leading to possible aggressive nature.
CCSO Deputies, CCSO Search and Rescue Volunteers, Arizona Game and Fish Officers and Arizona Department of Public Safety Officers are conducting vehicle, road and foot searches in the area she was last seen. Several officers who are trained and experienced in human tracking, along with about 25 other individuals, are assisting with the search.
Anyone with information regarding Tanya Morris’ welfare or whereabouts is urged to contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s office at (928) 774-5231 or 1-800-338-7888.
