http://sun.yumasun.com/artman/publish/a ... _17777.php

Illegal immigrant found dead in desert

FROM STAFF REPORTS
Jul 13, 2005


An illegal immigrant was found dead Tuesday morning by Yuma County Sheriff's Office deputies at 3995 E. County 19th St., according to a release.

At about 6:34 a.m., deputies found the body of Pedro Basilio, 27, of Mexico. He and his brother had crossed the border at 6 p.m. Monday, according to Yuma sector Border Patrol spokesman Joe Brigman.

During the night, Basilio said he could not go any farther and stopped to rest. The brother told authorities that he found Basilio dead this morning.

Capt. Eben Bratcher said the address is that of a gravel pit business, and Basilio was found on the property.

The cause of death is unknown, but foul play is not suspected. Since the brothers were walking at night, they were not subjected to the most severe temperatures.

"It could be any number of things," Bratcher said. "You wouldn't expect a heat death, but if you wear yourself out and don't drink enough water, it could still happen. But we don't know."

The brother was taken into custody by the Border Patrol. Brigman said this is the 26th illegal immigrant death this fiscal year. There were 36 all of last year.

"We've still got the rest of July, August and September," Brigman said.