Body found near Bard identified

A man whose body was found along an Interstate 40 frontage road near Bard in September has been identified.

According to a news release Monday from New Mexico State Police, the dead man was identified on Jan. 12 by the Office of Medical Examiner as Travis Villella, 30, of Norman, Oklahoma.

“His death has been determined to be an unattended death,” wrote Ray Wilson, public information officer for state police, in an email. “There is no suspicion of foul play being involved.” Villella’s body was found on Sept. 6 at about milepost 361 near a trench in Bard.