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Date: January 6, 2010
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The body of a lone male has been discovered below the rim at the Abyss on Hermit Road in Grand Canyon National Park. Hermit Road is the western-most portion of the rim road on the South Rim of the canyon.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, January 5, patrol rangers noticed a light-colored passenger vehicle parked at the Abyss with no owner immediately apparent. The following morning, rangers went out to check on the vehicle and found that it was still parked at the Abyss, triggering an investigation which included using a spotting scope to search below the rim. 

Unable to thoroughly view the area with a spotting scope, rangers requested a helicopter to assist in the below rim investigations. At about 10:45 a.m., the helicopter crew reported spotting the body of a lone male approximately 300 feet below the rim at the Abyss.

Search and rescue personnel have rappelled down to prepare the body for transport. The body will be transported to the rim by helicopter via long-line operation and then transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner.

The National Park Service is conducting an investigation into the incident.

-NPS-