Body Found In Chaffee County May Be Missing Parolee

A search for a missing parolee in Chaffee County is continuing, but officials say he may have been found dead. The Colorado Department of Corrections informed the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office of the missing parolee Thursday morning.

The parolee is 46-year-old David Butler who is wanted on an original charge of homicide and is said to have violent tendencies.

The Sheriff’s Office began a search of a remote area about 8 miles south of Buena Vista in the Mt. Princeton Resort area. Deputies eventually located the parolee’s vehicle off County Road 321. Around 3:30 p.m.

Thursday deputies spotted a fire in a barn nearby. Fire crews put out the fire and discovered a dead body in the barn. At this time it is not known if the dead person is Butler or not. The barn was completely destroyed and the body was burned beyond recognition.

Deputies are continuing the search on Friday and an autopsy is scheduled for the body.

Several area law enforcement agencies are assisting in this search.