Autopsy Report: Renowned author and motivational speaker committed suicide

Renowned author and motivational speaker Luis Carlos Montalvan committed suicide, according to an autopsy reported filed by the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Police found Montalvan’s body inside a hotel room at the Hotel Indigo in early December. The hotel is located on the 300 block of N. Kansas.

Police said there were no signs of foul play.

The autopsy report states the medical examiner found traces of Pentobarbital, a barbiturate, in Montalvan’s blood and urine.

“An autopsy revealed an enlarged heart featuring thickening of the left lower chamber. Additionally, critical narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart was identified … the manner of death was suicide,” the autopsy report states.

Montalvan, suffering from physical combat-related wounds and a crippling post-traumatic stress disorder was able to recover thanks to the help of his service dog Tuesday. His book “Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Save Him” went on to become a New York Times Best Seller.

Montalvan was a 17-year veteran of the U.S. Army, according to his biography. He served multiple tours abroad and was decorated with numerous awards, including two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and the Combat Action Badge.