Wells man found dead outside residence

WELLS - Authorities say a Wells man found dead in the snow outside his residence may have become disoriented and froze to death.

An autopsy was planned to determine the cause of death for Kent Johns, whose body was found Monday after a brief search around his home in Clover Valley.

Johns, 53, possibly froze to death sometime last weekend, according to an Elko County sheriff's report.

His body was found by a family member about 150 feet from the end of his driveway.

Elko County Sheriff Neil Harris said Johns may have gone outside and become disoriented before he died.

"He probably went out Saturday because that's when he was last heard from," Harris said. "We know the dogs were in the house for an extended amount of time because they messed in the house."

Johns' family last heard from him around 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

His father, Kenneth Johns, said he and his wife left Clover Valley and went to Utah for a wedding. Kenneth Johns told deputies that they spoke to Kent Johns on Saturday about caring for the animals.

When they returned Sunday, Kent Johns' pickup, dogs and glasses were still at the residence but they couldn't find their son, the father said.

There also was a suitcase full of clothing close to the road in the second driveway to the home.