Investigators in Colorado found the body of 62-year-old John Cumby Jr. in a wooded area of Gilpin County, just west of Denver, late last week.
Cumby had been reported missing from Rock Falls, Illinois since early September.
Ada County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 25-year-old Jeffrey Maynard last weekend for erratic driving on Interstate 84 – and discovered Maynard was driving Cumby’s van but couldn’t explain how he got it or where Cumby was.
That investigation led to the discovery of John Cumby’s body on Friday.
Officials in Colorado have not yet established the cause and manner of Cumby’s death and continue to investigate the case.
Maynard remains in the Ada County Jail on a $500,000 bond for charges related to the traffic stop in Ada County and warrants for his arrest out of Texas.
Here is our initial post about the case, released last week:
When Ada County Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled over 25-year-old Jeffrey Maynard for erratic driving on Interstate 84 Sept. 10, they didn’t realize they were about to confronted with a disturbing mystery.
Maynard was driving a van owned by another man – 62-year-old John Henry Cumby Jr. — who has been reported missing from his Illinois home for over a month.
The van was full of John Cumby’s possessions, including his wallet, identification, and other personal items.
Maynard could not explain why he was driving Cumby’s van or had his possessions – or give deputies viable information where John Cumby might be.
Before John Cumby left his Rock Falls, Illinois home in mid-August, he told his family members he was going camping in the Denver area for a little while but would be back by early September.
The last time his family members talked to Cumby was Aug. 20.
Investigators are still trying to determine where and how Maynard and Cumby met — and are concerned about the possibility of foul play.
Maynard is being held in the Ada County Jail on a $500,000 bond on several charges, including providing false information to law enforcement and assault and battery of a law enforcement officer in connection with his arrest Sunday.
That took place around 9 a.m. Sunday. An ACSO deputy observed a blue Plymouth van going about 60 mph on westbound Interstate 84 east of Eisenman Road and going back and forth between lanes, cutting off a semi truck which had to brake suddenly several times to avoid a collision.
The deputy pulled over the van and began talking to the driver, later identified as Maynard. The deputy determined Maynard had active arrest warrants from Texas, including charges of theft and attempted arson.
When the deputy asked him to get out of the van, Maynard grabbed a can of mace from between his legs but then dropped it when the deputy noticed what was happening.
Deputies quickly determined the van was registered to John Cumby and soon discovered all his belongings inside.
Maynard was not able to explain where Cumby war or why he was driving the van.
Maynard was then arrested and booked into the jail.
Investigators are working closely with law enforcement in Colorado and Illinois on the case.