Man known for feeding the homeless says he knows the man found dead near Fountain Creek

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO)-- Pueblo Police received a call around noon Wed., Oct. 12, that a body was found near the 100 block of N. Dayton Ave by Fountain Creek.

Initially, Pueblo PD said they were investigating it as a suspicious death. As of Friday, they're investigating the case as a homicide.

The Pueblo County Coroner has identified the man found dead near Fountain Creek on Friday, Oct.14, as 67-year-old Ronald Thomas. 

The man who found the body, Paul Montoya, was feeding the homeless along Fountain Creek when he came upon a dead body.

Montoya said the body was in such bad shape that he did not recognize him at the time. Now that the name has been released, he said he simply could not believe it.

RELATED: Police investigating 'suspicious' death near Fountain Creek in Pueblo

"He was as we say, beaten to death, in other words, plain and simple. He didn't deserve to go out that way. But somebody knows what happened, and I hope they step forward and find the one who did it to him," said Montoya.

Montoya said Fountain Creek is a camping ground for many people experiencing homelessness.

He said for the last ten years he has known Thomas, he has been living down at the river bottom along Fountain Creek.

Montoya said many other people experiencing homelessness who live along Fountain Creek called Thomas "little Ronnie." He said little Ronnie was not a violent man.

"He's just a short little man. He had a huge heart for everybody. You know, he had always helped whoever needed help down there," said Montoya.

Pueblo Police said Friday that this does appear to be an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the community.

KRDO reached out to Pueblo PD Saturday about an update on this case, but they have not responded yet.

This is still an active investigation.