A Durango man died in the Berri Park area on Middle Mountain Road near Vallecito Reservoir of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Andrew Giffin, 52, died Friday, according to La Plata County Sheriff Lt. Ed Phippen. His family has been notified, Phippen said Wednesday.

According to the case file, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched about 5 p.m. May 8 after Crossroads Mental Health reported that Giffin was suicidal and health-care workers were trying to find him.

Phippen said law-enforcement authorities tracked Giffin’s cellphone and identified that he was in the Vallecito area.

“We started searching and found his vehicle, a white Honda Accord,” Phippen said. “He was found close to the vehicle on the ground. It appeared he shot himself with a pistol. It was next to him.”

Autopsy results are pending. “Right now, it’s an unintended death investigation” until an autopsy ruling determines whether it was a suicide, Phippen said.

For help

Mental-health help can be found from these sources:
Crossroads Center: 403-0180
Axis Health: 259-2161
Boys & Girls Club hotline: (800) 448-3000
Safe2Tell: (866) 542-7233
Colorado Crisis Support Line: (844) 493-8255. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths about any crisis.
Second Wind Fund: 946-9586. The fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization doesn’t take direct calls but requires a referral by a school counselor or mental-health professional.
Fort Lewis College Counseling Center: 247-7212
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255