By Cate Lecuyer
BEVERLY — Cheryl Lurie, a 1973 graduate of Beverly High School, was found dead this week in her hometown of Aspen, Colo. Police there are not ruling out foul play.
"Right now, we're not ruling out anything," said Aspen police spokeswoman Stephanie Dasaro.
Lurie, whom locals may remember by her maiden name of York, was 54.
Her body was found in the snow Monday at 10:30 a.m. in a park next to Pitkin County Library. She died of blunt-force head trauma.
Police believe she died late Sunday night or early Monday morning, Dasaro said, and are looking for anyone who may have seen her Sunday evening in downtown Aspen. Police are working to piece together a time line of events leading up to her death.
"We're following all leads," Dasaro said.
Lurie moved from Beverly about 30 years ago and was a longtime Aspen local. Kathy Sonia, a Beverly cousin, was about 10 when Lurie left the area.
"She went out there to visit and fell in love with it," Sonia said. "I remember I was so sad, because she was one of my favorite cousins."
She describes Lurie as a free spirit.
"She was such a sweet, happy-go-lucky person, full of life," Sonia said.
Lurie worked as a waitress and volunteered in the community, particularly at the local Elks Club.
Sonia said Lurie has been back to Beverly over the years to visit family and friends.
She lived in Aspen with her husband, Martin. Police Chief Richard Pryor said she'll be missed.
"While it is a rare occurrence to have an incident like this happen in our community, we wish to express our condolences to Cheryl's family and friends," he said.
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salem news.com.
