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Authorities find body of man in Lory State Park believed to be stabbing suspect

Coroner will confirm ID of man's body
Posted at 7:01 AM, Nov 05, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-06 07:43:17-05

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — Fort Collins police said Thursday evening that they believe investigators found the body of a man at Lory State Park who had been sought in a Wednesday night stabbing.

Fort Collins Police Services had said earlier Thursday they were searching for Jonathan Crossley, 25, who allegedly stabbed a woman in a home along the 200 block of Tiger Cat Way just after 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Police said that Crossley is believed to have broken into the residence of the woman, whom he knew, attacked her and fled the scene. Though the woman sustained “serious injuries,” police said, she was able to call 911 and was later transported to a hospital. Fort Collins police said Thursday evening she “is expected to recover.”

Police searched for him throughout the night and Thursday morning. They found his vehicle abandoned in Lory State Park Wednesday night, police said.

Police, along with Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies, park ranger and search and rescue crews, found the body of a dead man, believed to be Crossley, inside the park, Fort Collins Police Services said Thursday evening.

The identity of the man’s body will be confirmed by the county coroner’s office, as will his cause and manner of death.

"I'm grateful for the quick response and steadfast support of our partner agencies during this resource-intensive incident. We're united in serving victims and protecting our Northern Colorado community," said FCPS Assistant Chief Kristy Volesky, who leads the agency's Criminal Investigations Division. "We wish the victim, as well as other loved ones impacted by this incident, healing and strength as they navigate the challenging road of recovery ahead."

Lory State Park, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space and Soderberg Trailhead were closed while the search for Crossley was ongoing.

Fort Collins police said that anyone with more information about the incident or about Crossley who has not already spoken with investigators to call Det. Dustin Wier at 970-221-6895.