Police in Fayetteville are investigating after a body pulled from the West Fork of the White River was identified as 41 year old Julio Alfredo Matias Gomez.
According to the Fayetteville Police Department, officers were called to the area near South Stonebridge Road and Dead Horse Mountain on Wednesday evening, July 8, after a citizen flying a drone spotted a body in the water. The call came in around 7:45 p.m., and officers responded to the scene along the West Fork of the White River.
Police spokesperson Stephen Mauk confirmed that the body has since been sent to the state crime lab for further examination. As of now, authorities have not released any information about what may have caused Matias’s death. The investigation remains active, and police have not indicated whether foul play is suspected.
Community Mourns Local Business Owner
Matias, who also went by Fredi, was a well known figure in the Fayetteville community. Friends and family took to social media this week to share news of his passing and to ask for prayers and patience for his family and his business during this difficult time.
In a post shared by loved ones, Matias was remembered as someone with, in their words, a heart of gold, and as a man who deeply loved his dog, Ozzy, who reportedly stayed by his side until the end. Family members asked the community to keep his wife and relatives in their thoughts as they navigate the loss.
The outpouring of support on social media reflects how many people in the Fayetteville area knew Matias personally, whether through his business dealings or through everyday interactions in the community. Several friends and acquaintances shared condolences and memories, describing him as kind hearted and well liked among those who knew him.
Ongoing Investigation
At this time, Fayetteville police have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Matias’s death. The area where the body was discovered, near Stonebridge Road and Dead Horse Mountain along the White River, is known to local residents, and authorities have not said whether the location itself played any role in the case.
Investigators are awaiting results from the state crime lab, which will help determine the cause of death. Until that information becomes available, police have described the case as an ongoing investigation and have asked the public for patience as they gather more facts.
5NEWS has reported that it will continue following the story as new information becomes available. Community members are encouraged to reach out to Fayetteville police if they have any information that could assist investigators.
For now, family and friends of Julio Matias are focused on remembering him and supporting one another through their grief, while the business he was connected to has asked the community to be understanding as they work through this unexpected loss.
