A 22-year-old Durango woman was found dead Sunday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to La Plata County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Dan Bender.
Around 3 p.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to a home near the 2200 block of County Road 510 after a family member called authorities to report Savannah Gelles may be suicidal, Bender said.
Deputies found Gelles with a gunshot wound to the head, and a handgun next to her.
They tried unsuccessfully to revive Gelles, and when emergency medical personnel arrived she was pronounced dead, Bender said.
Bender said Gelles was alone at the time of the incident.
La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith said Monday that Gelles’ death will be ruled a suicide.
Bender said Gelles was local to the Durango area. According to The Durango Herald archives, she attended Bayfield High School and was a member of the cheerleading squad. She also previously worked at Old Tymers Cafe, W.J. Doyle Wine and Spirits and Community Banks of Colorado.
Ashley Blackmore, a friend who set up an online memorial fund for the Gelles family, said Gelles death was unexpected.
“She was just a super funny, outgoing person,” Blackmore said.
“It was totally unexpected. We don’t really know. It’s devastating for the whole family.”
Blackmore said a fund will be set up at the Community Banks of Colorado, but in the meantime, donations can be made online at https://www.youcaring.com/gellesfamily-813580.
Gelles’ death marks the eighth suicide this year in La Plata County.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
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