Fingerprints identify missing man

Fingerprint analysis Thursday confirmed the identity of a Carson City man whose body was found near the wreckage of his car on Highway 28.

"We made a positive confirmation through fingerprint comparisons this is Michael Roberts and tentative cause of death is blunt force trauma as a result of the automobile collision," said Scott Burau, chief deputy of the Carson City Sheriff's Department.

Roberts, 55, had been missing since May 24 when he left his southeast Carson City home saying he was going to the store.

Burau said they are unclear when the accident happened but estimates the body had been there at least two weeks.

Nevada Department of Forestry employees discovered the car about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.

"It appears he was coming around the corner and chose to go straight. Whether that was on purpose or by mistake we don't know," Burau said.

The car landed on the driver's side about 150-feet down a rocky ravine. Robert's body was found outside the vehicle, but clear of the wreckage.

Burau said since Robert's disappearance at least one foot race and one bicycle race have been run on that stretch of roadway, one mile from the Highway 50 turnoff.

"It's odd how no one saw the wreck until now," he said.

He said investigators are still looking into the cause of the accident.

Roberts had worked for Harrah's in Stateline for 25 years.