Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
The police confirmed that the body found in Andalucia last weekend belonged to Matt Opperman.
This tragic news comes nearly a month after a father of two, aged 50, disappeared during a bicycle ride in Jaen’s Segura de laSierra region.
Manuel Fernandez is a Jaen government minister who confirmed to reporters on Monday that Opperman’s body was found on Sunday. Opperman vanished from the world on January 25.
Fernandez said documents that Opperman were carrying were able to identify him, after volunteers discovered him next to a bike and tree in Peña del Olivar, Siles.
According to Malaga Hoy an autopsy has been performed today but the cause of death is not yet confirmed. However, a violent death was ruled out.
After his disappearance, hundreds of volunteers helped in the search. They were assisted by Guardia Civil officers and sniffer dogs. Drones and helicopters also joined in.
His brother Marc previously told the Olive Press the family were ‘worried beyond belief’ and were on standby to fly over from the US in the event of a ‘significant update’.
Footage shared previously with Olive Press The video showed a helicopter scouting above trees, while Guardia Civil officials watched through binoculars.
Marc previously told the Olive Press: “Matt’s professional work with various bike companies – Trek Factory Racing, Rocky Mountain Cycles, and now Yeti Cycles – has always had him traveling the globe in support of professional riders.
“He has been a well respected and liked head mechanic of many teams, including for the Australian MTB at the Rio Olympics 2016.
It was not unusual for him to spend the majority of the summer racing season in a different part of the world every week. His work has mainly been done in Western Europe.
Matt was born in Ohio and lived for many years in Houston, Texas, and Longmont Colorado where he began his professional and private cycling career.
