Area Student Found Dead In Hays

The body of a 25-year-old Fort Hays State University student missing since Wednesday was found Saturday morning near the Big Creek Bridge along U.S. Highway 183 Bypass at the south edge of Hays.

Although the investigation is ongoing, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said there’s no indication of foul play.

On Friday, HPD issued a missing person alert, asking for help in locating Ivone "Yosset" Martinez, a Garden City woman attending FHSU.

She was last seen at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

On Saturday, her body was recovered from the Big Creek area near the bridge by HPD officers, Ellis County Sheriff’s deputies and the Hays Fire Department.

Scheibler said investigators had received information she might have been in the Frontier Park area.

A search team was assembled, he said, and the Big Creek area was searched.

Shortly before 10:30 a.m. Saturday, her body was found in the area.

Ellis County Coroner Lyle Noordhoek was called in, and he was scheduled to examine Martinez Saturday afternoon and determine the cause of death.

"There does not appear to be any foul play at this time," Scheibler said Saturday, shortly after her body was removed from the area. "During our investigation, we never suspected foul play. We feared she was a danger to herself."

Scheibler said Martinez’ family in Garden City had been notified of her death.