Missing Person Search at Chasm View

Date: September 18, 2008
Contact: Angie Richman, [phone] x441

(MONTROSE) – September 18, 2008 – National Park Rangers received notification late this morning that missing local college student Mark Young Jr. might be at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. At approximately 12:40 pm a vehicle registered to Young was found at the Chasm View Overlook on the South Rim. The Montrose Sheriff’s office was immediately notified and joined National Park Service personnel on a ground search.

After an approximate 6 hour search, searchers located a body below the rim at Chasm View. Because of the lateness of the hour at the time of discovery, recovery has been postponed until tomorrow. The body has not yet been identified, and a cause of death has not yet been determined. National Park Service Rangers will be conducting the recovery operation. The Montrose County Sheriff’s Office will conduct the investigation.

Chasm View is a popular overlook along the scenic drive on the South Rim of Black Canyon. The overlook is 1,820 feet above the Gunnison River and looks across the narrowest part of the canyon.