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Chief Henry Hix of the Colville Tribal Natural Resource Enforcement Department, identified the body of 41-year-old Leonard “Junior” Simpson Tuesday afternoon.

Simpson was found by two volunteers of the search-and-rescue team organized by Chief Hix.

“We are thankful to all the volunteers that showed up to help with the search and rescue,” Chief Hix stated. “Although it was not the ending we had hoped for, the body of Mr. Simpson has been returned to his family and friends. We appreciate the overwhelming amount prayers that helped bring an end to the search for a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.”

Earlier entry:

Tribal police are asking for help in a search for a missing man.

Leonard Simpson Jr. was last seen walking on Peter Dan Road north of Elmer City on Dec. 24.

Colville Tribal Police issued a poster on Tuesday morning asking for volunteers on horseback and all-terrain vehicles to help.

The poster, emailed to The Star at 10:44 a.m., said a staging area for the search would be established at 9 a.m. at Peter Dan Road where it intersects with the Green property.

Simpson is described on the poster as a 6-foot-5-inch native American male, weighing 250 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who has seen Simpson is asked to contact tribal police at 800-551-5800 or at the tribal dispatch number: 509-634-2472.