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PRESCOTT VALLEY - Authorities in Prescott Valley say a man whose body was found late last year in the Agua Fria wash died of natural causes.

Prescott Valley police say the body of 40-year-old Robert Mendoza Celaya of Dewey was discovered Nov. 3 in a quarry area adjacent to a river.

At the time, police said the death appeared to be suspicious because signs of a struggle were found near the body.

A medical examination was performed on Celaya's body in an effort to find a definitive cause and manner of death.

Police said Wednesday that it's been determined that disruption of the ground around the body likely was caused when Celaya's dog defended his deceased owner when another dog came near the body.

The case is now closed as a natural death.