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Sherron studied accounting at Texas University in Houston and joined the Andersen accounting firm, now coincidentally under fire for its work as Enron's auditor. A transfer to the New York office was a relief from provincial life, with an apartment in Midtown and summers in the Hamptons. Sherron joined Enron eight years ago, hired through a recruitment programme as the firm boomed, having conquered the energy industry thanks to deregulation in Texas by the administration of its then governor, George Bush.

In 1997, aged 37, she married Richard Watkins, another executive in the energy business, whom she met in church. She climbed the company ladder to the level of vice president, not quite high enough to become one of those to luxuriate in the slushing off of millions to so-called 'part nerships' of Enron, many of them offshore.

Body in forest ID'd as Jeffco man

By Kieran Nicholson
Denver Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, December 04, 2001 - A body discovered in a van in Pike National Forest was identified Monday as a missing 59-year-old Jefferson County man.

James Watkins, missing since Nov. 13, apparently committed suicide, said Jacki Tallman, a spokeswoman for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

"It appears he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound," Tallman said.

Watkins' wife of 33 years, Pat, could not be reached for comment Monday.

Watkins' van was spotted about 6 p.m. Saturday by a snowmobile rider who recognized it from media reports about the missing engineering consultant.

The Douglas County coroner's office on Monday had not completed autopsy, toxicology and forensic work, but "no foul play is suspected at this time," said Wes Riber, deputy coroner.

A weapon and a note were found at the scene, Tallman said. Contents of the note were not disclosed.

Watkins, employed at Arthur Andersen consultants, was last seen by co-workers at his downtown Denver office. At the time of his disappearance, he was preparing for a business trip to China.