Autopsy delayed on body believed to be NJ man

BRECKENRIDGE - The autopsy on a body believed to be that of a missing New Jersey man will not be performed until Thursday, officials announced on Monday.

The Summit County Coroner and the Breckenridge Police Department were on scene to investigate on Saturday after the body was found in the south end of Breckenridge, near Highway 9 and Boreas Pass Road, near the Stephen C. West Ice Arena.

When the autopsy is performed this week, the Summit County Coroner says only preliminary findings will be released, and toxicology reports will take at least 10 days.

Authorities say a citizen who was searching on his own for Michael Barbiere, who went missing at about 1:18 a.m. on Feb. 8, found a credit card belonging to the missing 23-year-old on Friday along the east side of Highway 9. Authorities say searchers from the Summit County Search and Rescue began looking Friday night, but suspended their efforts at about 9 p.m. They resumed their search on Saturday and the body was found at about 9:08 a.m.

Police say based on the clothing they can see from under the snow, they believe it is Barbiere.

Barbiere was last seen walking away from Cecilia's Bar, located at 520 S. Main St. in Breckenridge. When he didn't return to the condo where he was staying, his friends reported him missing. A full search was launched Feb. 9 but was suspended on Feb. 11.