Omaha man’s death stumps Des Moines police

The circumstances surrounding the death of an Omaha man found Friday in a garbage dumpster in Des Moines remain a mystery. Des Moines Police Sergeant Bruce Elrod says no one seems to have any idea why 46-year-old Anthony Barratta, Junior climbed into the dumpster. Officers found Barratta’s car at a Des Moines restaurant, but don’t know why he left the car and walked downtown. An autopsy is scheduled for today. Authorities believe Barratta died from exposure. Elrod says they believe Barratta was last seen alive on Thursday. Unless something strange is revealed by the autopsy, it should be the end of the investigation. Relatives says Barratta was disabled, had back problems and lived in an apartment in Omaha.