Missing man found dead

A body found in the Fairwood area of north Spokane today is believed to be Edward R. Kelly, who has been missing since Dec. 22. The 66-year-old had gone on a walk in that area, authorities said. Kelly’s body was spotted “over an embankment about 100 yards from a parking turnout off Fairwood Drive west of Mill Road,” said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Dave Reagan. Attempts to find Kelly shortly after he went missing had been unsuccessful. A search on Dec. 26 by Spokane Search and Rescue that involved 45 trained searchers and another 15 citizen volunteers was unsuccessful. Two deputies were checking the popular walking trail today when they found Kelly’s body. “Walker said ‘searchers had likely walked past the spot, but had not seen the victim due to heavy snowfall in December,’” Reagan said. The Spokane Medical Examiner’s Office will make the positive identification of the body, but authorities are confident the remains are Kelly’s.