News Release

Local Kentucky-Area Resident Found Deceased from Apparent Fall in Park

Date: March 29, 2024
Contact: Christopher Derman, 423-569-9778

On the morning of March 29, 2024, visitors discovered, and reported a deceased individual in the water at Yahoo Falls, in the Kentucky area of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. At 12:41 PM (ET) 23-year-old Isaac Lee Turpin, from Somerset, Kentucky, was pronounced dead. 

National Park Rangers, along with McCreary County Deputies, Emergency Management Director, and Coroner’s Office; Whitley City Fire Department and Ambulance Service; USDA Forest Service; and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the incident.

An investigation into the incident is being conducted. No further information is available at this time.