Body found on Truckee River banks is missing Sparks man

A body found Wednesday on the banks of the Truckee River near Mustang has been identified as a 74-year-old Sparks man reported missing since May 9.

The Sparks Police Department says Gary Poppinga was found about 1:50 p.m. by people recreating in the area near the Mustang exit.

Poppinga was last seen at his Union Street home, where he left his cellular telephone and his wallet. He had made suicidal statements and taken a gun with him, and said he wanted to die along what he called the Lovelock River.

His death did not involve foul play, police said. They were not releasing other information.

“The family would also like to thank all those involved with this case and the work they did to attempt to find Gary and the efforts to bring him home,” police said.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a body found on the bank of the Truckee River near the Mustang Exit.

Sheriff’s spokesman Bob Harmon said someone was recreating in the area May 31, 2017 and found the body.

No other details have been made available about the body or cause of death.