Arsalan Serajian

According to source,

The New Mexico State Police have ruled the death of 26-year-old Arsalan Serajian a suicide, according to a news release sent out by State Police this weekend.

According to the release, on December 19, 2007, a hiker about half-way up Woody’s Trail found a cut-up piece of a driver’s license, with the letters “jian” visible, and turned it into the park ranger’s office.

State Police Agent Carl Christiansen and Park Ranger Steve Riley began searching the area, and around 10:30 a.m. December 21st, found the body of Serajian — who had been reported missing since last October — in a steep snow-covered canyon off the trail, the release said.

Found next to the body were Serajian’s backpack, two sawed-off shotguns and a pistol, according to the release.

State Police said it was evident that Serajian had suffered a shotgun wound and his body had been in at that location for some time.

There were no other apparent injuries or signs of foul play, and investigators determined that the firearms had been purchased by Serajian, the release said.

Arsalan Serajian had disappeared months ago in the Gila wilderness, and was found on December 21st with a seemingly fatal gunshot wound to the head, police said; autopsy results are pending and an official ruling as to the manner of death has not been released. According to New Mexico State Police Lt. Rick Anglada said, “It looked like an apparent suicide.”

Serajian was last seen October 7, 2007 on a hotel security camera in Truth or Consequences, and his 2004 silver Infiniti was found later that month in the parking lot of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, according to earlier reports.

Serajian’s family and friends do not believe it was suicide.

“It was murder,” said Serajian’s mother, Dr. Ghazala Roopani. “I really think that Arsalan probably gave a ride to some people in Truth or Consequences.” $4,000 was withdrawn from his bank account, and Serajian had just purchased new camping equipment and hiking boots, had recently gotten a haircut and purchased food that, according to the family, Serajian does not eat, namely, the two Mcdonald’s quarter-pound hamburgers that he purchased the day after being seen at the TorC Motel.

Serajian was declared missing on October 28th; rescue groups, police officers, dogs, horses, helicopters and volunteers scoured the wilderness in search of Serajian. Law enforcement remains firm on their classification of his death. Missing NPF will follow for details.