Body found in ravine off Leviathan Mine Road

The body of a 35-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos man was discovered early this morning at the bottom of a steep ravine off Leviathan Mine Road south of Gardnerville.

Douglas County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jim Halsey said the man was identified as Robert Leis Jr.

A patrol deputy had responded to the area approximately 1-1/2 miles west of Highway 395 at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to check on a disabled vehicle.

Halsey said the deputy did not find anyone inside the disabled blue 1997 GMC pickup or in the immediate area. One end of the drive shaft was on the ground underneath the vehicle.

The truck was traced to Leis through DMV records and his family was contacted. Leis' wife told deputies her husband likely went to his mother's house in Topaz Ranch Estates.

She recontacted deputies at 8:50 p.m. Tuesday to say her husband's mother had not seen him for two days.

Members of the sheriff's office patrol division and Search and Rescue Team volunteers returned to the area where the truck was found and discovered Leis' body at 1:20 a.m. at the base of the ravine.

Halsey said there was no evidence of foul play.

Cause of death is pending autopsy results.