Des Moines police identify body found on city's south side
Tyler J. DavisDes Moines police have named the person found dead Saturday morning on the city's south side.
Gabriel Boettger, 38, has been identified as the victim of what police are calling a suspicious death, according to Des Moines police spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek.
Officers responded to 6504 Chaffee Road about 6:38 a.m. Saturday on reports of a person down, according to a news release from the Des Moines Police Department. There, Boettger, a Des Moines resident, was found on the ground, near Willow Park Apartments. Parizek said he suffered "obvious injuries," but had no further details.
The DMPD Crime Scene Investigation Unit processed the scene for evidence.
Des Moines police said the investigation is ongoing and no other updates are expected at this time.
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The hit-and-run death of Charles Michael Childs, 69, was Des Moines' first homicide of 2019. Donterius Jamar Bomar, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder in the case. Childs was found deceased Jan. 10 in a homeless camp; police said evidence shows Bomar was operating a vehicle that allegedly struck Childs two days earlier as he walked in the 1500 block of East Madison Avenue.
Des Moines ended 2018 with 13 homicides — down from 25 the year prior.
More:After a bloody 2017, homicides in Des Moines drop while self-defense slayings increase
Tyler Davis can be contacted at 515-284-8378, tjdavis@dmreg.com or on Twitter @TDavisDMR.