The body of 29-year-old Derek Hamblen was found early Wednesday afternoon, April 20, apparently by some friends, in a remote area off of Upper Red Rock Loop Road, according to Dwight D’Evelyn, public information officer for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
“It appears that he succumbed to a gunshot wound, likely self-inflicted, but we’ll wait for the [medical examiner] to confirm,” D’Evelyn said.
Hamblen was last seen at his home in the Elmersville area of Lower Red Rock Loop Round around 10 a.m. on April 15. Family members reported him missing over the weekend.
He reportedly left on foot and did not take his cell phone with him.
A detective searching Hamblen’s effects reportedly found papers that indicated that Hamblen may have been suicidal at the time he disappeared, D’Evelyn said.
According to D’Evelyn, there was some concern that Hamblen was armed, which is why YCSO did not have unarmed volunteers out searching.
A memorial service for Hamblen will be held at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave., Cottonwood, on Monday, April 25, at 5 p.m.
