At 9:30 a.m. Feb. 28, a cleanup crew was working on I-65. As they were working along the ramp from U.S. 231 to southbound I-65, they located a body lying in the west ditch. Troopers and Detectives from the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post responded to the scene along with investigators from the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
The male victim was identified via fingerprints. The deceased is now known to be Nelson Daniel Ramos-Rivas, a 23 year old Venezuelan National. His last known residence was in Tillamook County, Oregon.
Foul play was quickly suspected, and a homicide investigation has been initiated. A forensic autopsy was conducted later that morning and confirmed this case to be a homicide. As a result, two individuals that had been recently taken into custody by the F.B.I. and the King County Sheriff’s Office in Seattle, WA were quickly identified as the suspects in this homicide. Charges are pending here in Indiana.
All resources in locating next of kin has been exhausted.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating anyone who may know relatives of this young man or can help us get in contact with anyone with connections to the decedent. Please contact the county coroner’s office at 219-755-3265. All information provided will be strictly confidential.