Arizona authorities say dead woman committed suicide

FARMINGTON, N.M. -- Sheriff's deputies in northwest Arizona say a woman whose body was found in the desert was the former tourism director in Farmington, N.M.

Mohave County sheriff's spokeswoman Trish Carter said Thursday that the county medical examiner concluded that 41-year-old Aztec, N.M., resident Debbie Dusenbery committed suicide.

A handgun was found near her body.

She was found after a man riding in the desert south of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., found a note on Dusenbery's abandoned Jeep Thursday afternoon and called deputies. The note instructed the finder to call Farmington authorities.

Dusenbery disappeared after coming under suspicion for embezzling more than $200,000 from the city tourism department.

It was alleged she used the money to pay for trips for friends and family to Miami, Las Vegas and the Cayman Islands.

Dusenbery resigned Jan. 17.