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Body ID'd as missing Marine from Belen; suspect in custody

Francisco Gomez (left) is charged in the murder of Matthew Gurule (right)

  BELEN, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a body found south of Belen has been identified as a Marine veteran missing since last month and a suspect in the murder case is in custody.

Valencia County Sheriff's officials says detectives located a body in a ditch back Friday night.

On Saturday, the Office of the Medical Investigator positively identified the body as that of 32-year-old Matthew Gurule, who was last seen on July 27 at the Isleta Resort and Casino.

Sheriff's officials won't say what led them to the body or how Gurule died.

Belen police say 37-year-old Francisco Gomez of Los Lunas was arrested Aug. 10 for allegedly using Gurule's credit card.

Valencia County Sheriff Denise Vigil says Gomez now is facing a charge of an open count of murder and multiple other felonies.