Law enforcement officers from two counties are investigating the death of a Frannie man, whose body was found on a rural road between Frannie and Deaver Monday afternoon.

“It could be anything from a tragic accident to homicide, and that’s to be investigated and figured out at this point,” Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn said Wednesday afternoon.

The man has not yet been publicly identified. Park County Coroner Tim Power said Tuesday evening that he was still working to conclusively identify the man and to notify family members of his death.

The man’s body was discovered on Lane 5W and reported to law enforcement at 2:04 p.m. Monday. He died in Park County, but with the incident occurring close to the Big Horn County line, deputies from both sheriff’s departments responded to the scene.

The Lovell Chronicle reported that deputies later found a vehicle in a nearby ditch — on Road 2/Lane 5 in Big Horn County — and arrested 33-year-old Joshua Klebenstein on a charge of driving while under the influence. Klebenstein pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge on Wednesday and his bail was set at $10,000. 

Blackburn told the Chronicle there appeared to be a connection between that DUI case and the man’s death, but as of press time Wednesday, the details about that connection were not clear.

Blackburn deferred to the Park County Sheriff’s Office to release information about the investigation into the man’s death, since that incident occurred in Park County.

“It is two jurisdictions, but it’s good to work together,” Blackburn said. “And we’re doing anything we can to support Park County with their investigation at this time.”

Park County Sheriff Scott Steward said Tuesday that his office would release further details as they become available.

Park County Attorney Bryan Skoric said Wednesday evening that “the case remains under, obviously, active investigation [to] figure out what we have.”