LUKE TURF
Tucson Citizen

The number of suspected illegal immigrants who died sneaking into Cochise County from Mexico this summer is down from 2003, but body parts discovered over the weekend are expected to increase the toll.
Thirty-one immigrants died crossing the border through Cochise County between June 15 and Oct. 1 last year. From Oct. 1 through yesterday, 13 were discovered, according to a count maintained by the Cochise County medical examiner.

The discovery last weekend of two people would bring the toll to 15.

Border Patrol agents reported to the Cochise County Sheriff's Office the discovery of a body along the border five miles east of Douglas, a sheriff's news release stated. Deputies found a severely decomposed leg and torso in addition to other parts indicating a second person.

Deputies returned Sunday with two Border Patrol agents and four employees of Adair Funeral Home in Douglas and found more remains of the two people, according to the release. The remains are believed to be of illegal immigrants.