Woman's body found at springs

A woman was found dead last week at the hot springs in Montezuma, but police say there were no signs of foul play.

The woman was identified as Karen Hansen, 53, of Las Vegas, state police Sgt. Miguel Aguilar said. He said her death may have been the result of a medical issue.

Security for United World College, which manages the hot springs, called the state police after seeing the fully clothed woman’s body in one of the pools around 7 p.m. last Wednesday, authorities said.

Aguilar said there were no obvious wounds to the body, but he said her body had been sent to the state Office of the Medical Investigator for further investigation. That agency is expected to release a preliminary report in the next few weeks, depending on how long the blood toxicology analysis takes, he said.

Aguilar said he doubted the woman’s body was there for long because so many people visit the springs.

State police said she had a backpack and that they believed she walked to the springs. Aguilar said her next of kin has been notified, though he wasn’t sure if she had any relatives in Las Vegas.

The public can use the hot springs free of charge. The attraction is a popular place for locals to visit throughout the year, even during the winter.

The springs are open every day, but are closed from midnight to 5 a.m. Campus security often goes by the springs to make sure people are following the rules. For instance, drinking and nude bathing are prohibited.