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Paraguayans mourn Lino Oviedo, presidential candidate killed in helicopter crash

Associated Press
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Raquel Marin, right, widow of former General Lino Oviedo, who was a presidential candidate with the UNACE party, attends her husband's wake at Congress where Oviedo's military hat sits on his coffin, front, in Asuncion, Paraguay, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. The presidential hopeful died Saturday in a helicopter crash. Oviedo was returning with his bodyguard from a political rally in northern Paraguay Saturday night when his pilot encountered bad weather. All three were killed in the crash. The deadly crash ended a dramatic political career for Oviedo that included coups and several attempts to become the leader of this poor, grain-producing country. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) (The Associated Press)

Wearing a T-shirt that shows an image of former Gen. Lino Oviedo, a supporter leaves Oviedo's memorial service at Congress in Asuncion, Paraguay, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. A presidential candidate with the UNACE party, Oviedo died Saturday in a helicopter crash. He was returning with his bodyguard from a political rally in northern Paraguay Saturday night when his pilot encountered bad weather. All three were killed in the crash. The deadly crash ended a dramatic political career for Oviedo that included coups and several attempts to become the leader of this poor, grain-producing country. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) (The Associated Press)

The flower covered hearse carrying the coffin of former General Lino Oviedo, who was a presidential candidate with the UNACE party, leaves Congress where a wake was held, to the UNACE party headquarters for another wake in Asuncion, Paraguay, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. The presidential hopeful died Saturday in a helicopter crash. Oviedo was returning with his bodyguard from a political rally in northern Paraguay Saturday night when his pilot encountered bad weather. All three were killed in the crash. The deadly crash ended a dramatic political career for Oviedo that included coups and several attempts to become the leader of this poor, grain-producing country. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) (The Associated Press)

Authorities in Paraguay say they identified the body of presidential candidate Lino Oviedo through his fingerprints, laptop, driver's license and revolver. Coroner Pablo Lemir says most of his body was scattered as far as 650 feet (200 meters) from the spot where the helicopter he was riding in exploded in a thunderstorm.

Prosecutor Federico Espinoza said expects to have the final result of a probe into the causes of the accident in another 90 days. The nose of the helicopter was driven more than 3 feet (1 meter) into the ground.

The 69-year-old retired general died Saturday night in his third run for president. He was mourned Wednesday by about a thousand followers who accompanied his coffin around Paraguay's capital, and will be buried on Thursday.