Missing man identified as parole absconder

A body found near the Nightingale exit on Interstate 80 on April 12 has been identified as Michel Wayne Bowers, 42, a parole absconder from Idaho.

Churchill County Sheriff Ben Trotter said when the body was recovered, deputies noticed a fingertip near the remains. He said the Washoe County Medical Examiner rehydrated the fingertip, and authorities were able to lift a fingerprint.

A camper discovered the partially exposed remains of a body off exit 65 on Interstate 80. Trotter said the remains were buried in a shallow grave located about nine miles northeast of the Nightingale exit.

“It appears erosion and animal activity exposed the remains,” Trotter said after the body was discovered.

Trotter said foul play is not being ruled out and more information will be released as it becomes available.

Bowers was described as a Caucasian with white hair and a small patch of hair on his chin. He had been missing two front teeth for a long time.

Trotter said some time in the man’s past, Bowers had a shattered right femur and had a metal rod surgically installed inside the bone of his right femur.

Trotter said the examination indicated the victim most likely died as a result of a gunshot. Toxicology results are pending.

If anyone has information they believe may help the investigation, contact Sgt. Richard Hickox at the CCSO at 775-423-3116 or rhickox@so.churchill.nv.us.