Joseph Branney - Huerfano World - August 9, 2001 - A three-day Huerfano County Search and Rescue mission last week, involving five search and rescue teams and search dogs, ended Sunday with the recovery of the body of Joseph Branney. Huerfano County Coroner Della Duran said Branney, 62, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound using a 9mm hand gun. He shot himself in the chest. Duran said the time of death is estimated to be early Thursday, Aug. 2. Branney apparently left his home on Indian Creek Ranch, west of La Veta, sometime early Thursday morning. His wife, Sheryl, and ranch hands reported him missing late Thursday after ranch hands found his truck parked in a remote area of the ranch near Cross Mountain. An initial search of the immediate area was conducted by 10 members of Huerfano County Search and Rescue, but was called off because of darkness. The search, lead by Huerfano Search and Rescue Coordinator Hans Buljung, continued all day Friday and Saturday. Search and rescue teams were called in to assist from El Paso County, Douglas county, Larimer County and the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol. Both El Paso and Larimer County search and rescues brought in search dog teams. A helicopter also searched the area. Buljung said the search was exceptionally difficult because of the terrain, heavy brush and an apparent lack of clues. Search dogs found Branney's body late Saturday in a rock alcove at a high elevation on Cross Mountain. Because of the difficult terrain and an approaching rain storm, searchers roped off the area and returned the next day to retrieve the body. Huerfano County Under-sheriff Paul Zudar and Sgt. Bruce Newman processed the scene early Sunday morning. Then a 10-member technical team from Huerfano, El Paso and Douglas County search and rescues removed the body. Branney and his wife were in the process of building a multimillion dollar home at Indian Creek Ranch at the time of his death. A memorial service will be held Friday in Denver from the Olinger's Funeral Home. Burial will be Friday afternoon in La Veta Cemetery