Body that was found near lake is Provo woman's

PROVO — Police have identified a woman whose body was found on a dike near Utah Lake Sunday morning.

The body of Melanie Memmott, 40, of Provo, was spotted Sunday morning just before 9 a.m. by a man and his son who had gone out to shoot a pellet gun, said Provo Police Capt. Cliff Argyle.

The man called to Memmott, worried she had fallen among the bushes and trees around 3110 West and was injured, Argyle said. When she didn't respond, he called 911.

Police arrived and confirmed Memmott was dead.

Argyle said she was fully clothed and had a coat near her, but was not wearing it.

"Of course it would be really cold to spend the night out there, but until the medical examiner can tell us for sure just how (she died), we don't know."

There was no indication of outer physical trauma.

"At this point, we're not looking toward foul play being a cause of her death," Argyle said.

An investigation was opened, and Memmott's body was taken to the State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.

Police also found Memmott's car, although it was some distance from where her body was found, Argyle said. Police had a difficult time trying to start the car, and it's possible Memmott began walking along the roadway after experiencing car trouble.

Argyle said it's a bit unusual to have someone die unattended in the open in Provo, especially if it resulted from car trouble. Usually there are enough people nearby to provide assistance, he said.

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