NEWS RELEASE - UPDATE
February 5, 2026
Contact: Glenn Boyd, Ouray County Coroner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lifelong Friend Steps Forward to Claim Remains of William Curio Jr.
Ouray County, CO - The Ouray County Coroner’s Office is pleased to announce that a lifelong friend of William “Billy” Curio Jr., has come forward to claim Mr. Curio’s remains, and with the help of the Coroner’s Office, take the lead with burial arrangements. Additionally, a number of individuals in the Ouray community have stepped forward and have offered financial assistance which will help with remaining costs.
The Coroner’s Office wishes to thank all of our community members who expressed their desire to help with this case. The primary objective of our news release was to seek an individual willing to claim Mr. Curio, rather than to solicit financial assistance. Through the generosity and compassion of our community, Mr. Curio will receive a proper burial.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Coroner’s Office Seeks Assistance with Unclaimed Body
Ouray County, CO – The Ouray County Coroner’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in claiming the remains of a man who was found deceased in his Ouray motel room on January 19, 2026.
William “Billy” Curio, Jr., aged 51, was originally from Florida and had resided in the Ouray area for less than a year. He was a trained chef, having graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, and had worked in various restaurants throughout his career, including Kami’s Samis and Corkscrew Tavern and Pizzeria in Ouray.
Colorado law mandates that family members be notified following a death, granting them ten days to claim the remains and arrange for burial or cremation. After being informed of Mr. Curio’s passing, his family in Florida has expressed an inability or unwillingness to claim his remains, which are currently housed in the morgue in Grand Junction, Colorado. Consequently, any friend or member of the public is permitted to claim Mr. Curio’s remains and make arrangements for his burial or cremation. Coroner Glenn Boyd stated, "We are hopeful that someone who knew Mr. Curio will come forward to help with arrangements for his burial or cremation. Mr. Curio, like everyone else, deserves the dignity of a proper burial or cremation. Our goal is to ensure he is laid to rest in a way that honors his life and allows friends or family the opportunity to know where he is and pay their respects."
Should Mr. Curio’s remains remain unclaimed, Ouray County is legally obligated to fund his burial or cremation. Anyone willing to assist is encouraged to contact the Coroner’s Office at 970-325-7273, ext. 1, or via email at gboyd@ourayco.gov.