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Man Found Dead in Train Tunnel had been Hit by Train

Alan Jay Willis, 65, of Minneapolis died of blunt-force trauma

By Molly Priddy

HELENA — Lewis and Clark County officials say a 65-year-old man whose body was found in a train tunnel west of Helena had been hit by a train.

Deputy Coroner Bryan Backeberg tells the Independent Record that an autopsy determined Alan Jay Willis of Minneapolis died of blunt-force trauma caused by a train. His body had been in the Mullen Tunnel for less than a day when Montana Rail Link employees spotted it last Friday.

Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Gilbertson says a backpack belonging to Willis was found on a freight train headed toward Missoula.