Police investigating death of West Valley man found in canal

WEST VALLEY CITY — A group of students walking to school spotted the body of a West Valley man in a canal Friday.

The man was identified as Richard Anthony Byrd, 43. West Valley Police Sgt. Mike Powell said an autopsy will be key in determining a cause of death. He estimated the man had been dead for 24 hours or less when his body was found.

Just before 7 a.m., a group of juveniles were being walked to school by an adult when they spotted the body in the canal near 5800 South and 4100 West. Police were contacted, and a dive team was dispatched, Powell said. 

The dive team found the body partially submerged in the water and caught on debris, he said.

— Pat Reavy, Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam