Cause of Mattawa man's death is unknown

ADAMS COUNTY — The skeletal remains located in Adams County at Saddle Mountain Orchard were identified as 20-year-old Mattawa man, Antonio "Roach" J. Ramos.

The Adams County Sheriff's Office is investigating to determine Ramos' cause of death, Sheriff Doug Barger said.

Ramos's mother reported him missing June 2006 to the Mattawa Police Department, he said.

Ramos was allegedly involved with the drug trade in the Beverly and Schwana areas, according to Grant County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy John Turley.

He was arrested by the Grant County Sheriff's Office for fourth degree assault, theft in the third degree, residential burglary and for failure to appear for possession of marijuana. He was also arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia in Quincy.

An orchard worker discovered Ramos's partially exposed skull while working on an irrigation system in the orchard May 28. The orchard is located on West Highway 24, he said.

The Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory from Cheney unearthed the remains. The skeleton was sent to a forensic anthropologist to be identified.

The forensic exam revealed some information, including an age range, sex and ethnicity. The dental exam provided the remainder of the details leading to his identification Thursday, he said.

A pathological exam will reveal the cause of death, he said. It is unknown when the results will be determined.