Men found in creek in Moon identified; funds being raised to send bodies to home countries

By Ciara McEneany / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office  has identified the two men whose bodies were found in Montour Run in Moon last month.

Bilson Ramirez, 22, of Pittsburgh, was identified by the medical examiner Tuesday. Alexi Heber Verdugo Lopez, 34, was identified Wednesday.

The cause and manner of their deaths was still being determined, although a person who identified himself as Ramirez’s brother said the two had drowned. 

The bodies were found about 4:05 p.m. June 28 near the Montour Trail, according to Allegheny County Police.

When first responders arrived, they found one body in about six feet of water. Divers were then called to the scene, and they found the second body in about 10 feet of water, according to police.

Police said a preliminary investigation showed no signs of foul play.

In a GoFundMe post, an organizer who identified himself as Mr. Ramirez’s brother, Anibal Ramirez, wrote that the two men were friends and that they drowned in the creek June 28.

Mr. Ramirez’s family set up the fundraiser to try to cover the costs of taking his body back to his native Guatemala, according to the post.

He said Mr. Ramirez was the father of three children, ages 5, 3 and 1, all of whom still live in Guatemala, along with his wife.

Part of the money raised was going to be used to return Mr. Lopez’s body to his native Mexico, and to help his wife and 3-year-old daughter, according to the post.

Investigators urged anyone with information about the deaths to call the county police tip line at 833-255-8477.

Ciara McEneany: [email protected]