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An autopsy Thursday confirmed 57-year-old Durango West I subdivision resident David Brion died by suicide Monday near Animas Air Park, according to the La Plata County Coroner’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about a body in a field around 5 p.m. Monday near the intersection of La Posta Road (County Road 213) and Jack Rabbit Trail, south of Durango.

Brion had financial issues and battled depression, said sheriff’s spokesman Chris Burke. Law enforcement found a shotgun at the scene and Brion’s dog dead with a gunshot wound.

It does not appear alcohol or drugs played a role in Brion’s death, said Coroner Jann Smith. A toxicology report should be finished in three to four weeks.

Brion did not have family in Durango. Smith said she notified Brion’s uncle in Texas of his death.

With the holiday season here, Burke said the Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with thoughts of harming themselves or others to call the 24/7 Axis Mental Health crisis line at 247-5245.

How to get help

Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering suicide:
AXIS HEALTH SYSTEM: 24-hour hotline at 247-5245.
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE: (800) 273-TALK (8255) or text “TALK” to 741741.
RED NACIONAL DE PREVENCIÓN DEL SUICIDIO: (888) 628-9454.
NATIONAL CRISIS TEXT HOTLINE: 741741
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE COUNSELING CENTER: 247-7212.
BOYS TOWN HOTLINE: (800) 448-3000.
SAFE2TELL COLORADO: (877) 542-7233 or online at
safe2tell.org
.
COLORADO CRISIS SUPPORT LINE: (844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255 or online at
coloradocrisisservices.org
to access a live chat available in 17 languages. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths about any crisis, 24 hours a day.
TREVOR PROJECT: (866) 488-7386. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth via online chat, text or phone.
SECOND WIND FUND: (720) 962-0706. This is not a crisis hotline, but the fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization requires a referral by a school counselor or mental-health professional.
SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP: Heartbeat of Durango meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Grief Center, 2243 Main Ave., second floor. For more information, call Janna at 749-1673.
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION: Colorado chapter information available at
afsp.org/chapter/afsp-colorado/
.
FOR MEN: A website for adult men contemplating suicide is available at
mantherapy.org
.