Death investigation underway near La Crosse, Kansas

RUSH COUNTY, Kan. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Rush County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after a man was found deceased Wednesday morning near La Crosse, Kansas.

On Wednesday, Jan. 17 at around 11:20 a.m., the Rush County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance with the investigation. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) responded to the scene.

At around 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, the Rush County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen who reported seeing a body lying in the south ditch on Avenue N, around a half mile east of U.S. Highway 183, near La Crosse. Deputies responded to the location and found the deceased male.

The man has been identified as 18-year-old Zachary Thiel, of La Crosse. A vehicle believed to have been driven by Thiel was located stuck in the snow, approximately a half mile east of Thiel’s location.

At this time there is no evidence of foul play, but a thorough investigation is being conducted. An autopsy has been scheduled.

The investigation is ongoing.