Man found in Dona Ana County desert actually survived attack thought to be deadly

UPDATE: Sheriff Kim Stewart said Monday that a man found in a desert area in southern Dona Ana County over the weekend who was thought to have died from severe injuries had actually survived.

She indicated 33-year-old Joseph Gonzalez of Las Cruces was in stable condition after being flown to an El Paso hospital.

Initially on Sunday, the Sheriff's Office told the media that the man had died as a result of multiple traumatic injuries.

The sheriff didn't provide any further details of the attack.

ORIGINAL REPORT: MESQUITE, New Mexico -- A body was found Sunday in a desert area off of Interstate 10 near Mesquite, according to the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office.

Officials said the discovery of what's believed to be a man in his 30s happened at 10 a.m. when a passerby found him and alerted authorities.

An investigation into the suspicious death was underway; no further details were immediately available.