Body At Ajax Mine Believed To Be That Of Owner

Park County sheriff’s officials say a body found in the Ajax Mine near Alma is believed to be that of Alma resident and mine owner Kevin Lawrence.

Undersheriff Monte Gore says Lawrence’s family had reported him missing recently. Gore said Monday it appears the person died in a partial collapse of the mine.

Sheriff Fred Wegener has postponed efforts to recover the body because of unstable conditions at the mine, and Gore says there are also avalanche risks in the area. Sheriff’s officials and the Mine Safety and Health Administration are warning people not to enter the mine.

The Fairplay Flume reports Lawrence’s brother found the body over the weekend while looking for Lawrence after his family hadn’t heard from him in a week.