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PRICE — It's been three years since Christopher Robertson's naked, decomposing body was found inside a sewer manhole near Price, and investigators are no closer to figuring out how he died or who put him there.
Now, two of Robertson's daughters are offering a reward in hopes that someone will come forward to help them with the many questions they still have.
"It's been really hard, especially with no answers at all," Kelsey Robertson said.
"If I could just have an answer and know what happened, it would be a lot easier to get a little closure," Ashley Robertson added.
Christopher Robertson's body was discovered Dec. 12, 2011, by crews with the Price River Water Improvement District while conducting monthly checks on sewer lines near 1500 South and U.S. 6.
Investigators believe Christopher Robertson had been in the manhole for about three weeks. It took the state medical examiner several days to identify his body.
"(The) cause of death is unknown because he was so deteriorated from the water," Kelsey Robertson said.
Christopher Robertson, 38, had alcohol and methamphetamine in his system, but not at levels that could have caused his death, according to Carbon County Sheriff's Sgt. David Brewer. He also had no obvious or underlying injuries that could have proved fatal, according to the state medical examiner.
He had to walk with either a cane or (use) a wheelchair. It would have been impossible for a healthy man to (get into the manhole), let alone in his state.
–Kelsey Robertson
Investigators and Robertson's family do not believe he could have lowered himself into the manhole, held on to a ladder rung with one arm and pulled the manhole cover back into place on his own. That's because Christopher Robertson was being treated for cancer and had undergone joint replacement surgery shortly before he disappeared.
"He had to walk with either a cane or (use) a wheelchair," Kelsey Robertson said. "It would have been impossible for a healthy man to (get into the manhole), let alone in his state."
Investigators say there is "a possibility of foul play" given the circumstances surrounding Robertson's death.
"I'm open to any and all information in the case," said Brewer, who was the detective assigned to the case when Christopher Robertson's body was found.
Kelsey and Ashley Robertson have pooled together $1,000 to offer as a reward for information that helps the sheriff's office close the case. They are also collecting donations to try to build the reward fund*.
"Nobody really deserved to die that way," Kelsey Robertson said. "Somebody could come forward and it could be such a miniscule thing and it could help the whole case."
Anyone with information about the case should call the Carbon County Sheriff's Office at 435-636-3251. Callers can choose to remain anonymous.
**KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
