ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A man who was found dead in downtown Anchorage last week was under investigation after police seized 12 emaciated sled dogs from his Girdwood home.
Anchorage police identified the man Tuesday as 50-year-old Dario Martinez, of Girdwood. His body was found hanging from a tree Thursday in an office building parking lot across Second Avenue from the entrance to the city's coastal trail.
One day earlier, animal control officers had found the 12 starving and thirsty dogs at his home. Another dog died of starvation.
Alaska business records show Martinez owned a sled dog operation in Girdwood.
The Alaska Dispatch News reports Martinez ran the Iditarod in 1999, finishing in 40th place.
Alaska State Troopers say its animal neglect investigation is closed with Martinez's death. Anchorage police say they have been unsuccessful in locating Martinez's next of kin.
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