Family quiz US police over Donegal man's death

Relatives of a 22-year-old Donegal man have travelled to Colorado to question authorities about his death after his body was found hanging from a belt in a superstore’s garden storage area.

Eileen Welch, of Co Donegal, said she and her family wanted to know what happened to her brother, Shaun ‘‘Pauric’’ Welch.

‘‘I know my brother like I know myself, and something made him do that,’’ Ms Welch said. ‘‘Nothing was that bad for Pauric. He was headstrong, really put together and really happy. It just wasn’t in his nature.’’

US police believe Mr Welch’s death was suicide because there was no evidence of foul play, but family members say he showed no signs of depression. His body was found on November 8.

Ms Welch and her mother Angela, flew to Colorado last weekend and were joined by Angela’s sister, Breda Athy, of Chicago.

They have talked with Mr Welch’s friends in Colorado Springs where he worked for more than a year before moving to Avon a few months ago to work at the Hyatt Regency hotel.

Mr Welch, a long-time fan of U2, had been at a U2 concert in Denver on November 7. He was driving a friend’s car, which broke down east of Idaho Springs.

Mr Welch came to the United States from Ireland more than a year ago as part of an international youth work programme. He worked at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs before moving to Eagle County.

‘‘He loved it here,’’ Eileen Welch said. ‘‘All he ever wanted to do was live in America.’’