Body believed to be Ecuadorian migrant found in desert area between Las Cruces & Hatch

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A body found north of Las Cruces could be that of a migrant from Ecuador, according to the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office.

The body was found Wednesday in a desert area near New Mexico Highway 185 between Las Cruces and Hatch.

The Sheriff's Office said it believes the man is from Ecuador because he had a passport on him.

Investigators were working to determine the cause of the man's cause of death, but officials said the body had been in that desert location for an estimated 24 hours.