BUENA VISTA, Colo.
The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office is investigating the discovery of a burned body in a barn that may be connected with an escaped prisoner.
The incident started Thursday morning when the sheriff's office received word from the Colorado Department of Corrections Fugitive Operations that an escapee was likely in the Mount Princeton area south of Buena Vista. Officials said 46-year-old David Butler was wanted on an original charge of homicide.
Deputies located an unoccupied pickup truck registered to Butler in a field off County Road 321 and began a search for Butler.
At about 3:30 p.m. Undersheriff John Spezze spotted smoke coming from a small barn nearby and called for the Chaffee County Fire Department.
After extinguishing the fire in the barn, firefighters found the body of an adult male that had burned beyond recognition.
The Chaffee County Coroner's Office removed the body and scheduled an autopsy for Friday.
Deputies continued the search for Butler until nightfall Thursday.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the case.
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