Rafters on Colorado River discover body, foul play not suspected

GRAND COUNTY, Utah — A group of rafters floating on the Colorado River discovered a body Thursday afternoon.

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release the group reported finding a deceased male at approximately 12:37 p.m. Thursday. The body was reportedly found two miles upstream from the Westwater Ranger Station in Grand County.

Following this, the group secured the deceased to their raft and floated to the ranger station. From here the deceased was taken by law enforcement. Both deputies from Mesa County, Colorado and deputies from Grand County, Utah responded to the scene.

Al Cymbaluk with the Grand County Sheriff’s Department says the forensic medical examiner looking at the body is unsure of the state of decomposition at this time.

According to the press release, the body is being transferred to the State of Utah Medical Examiner’s Office.

The identity of the deceased is not available at this time. Police do not suspect foul play, however, the investigation is ongoing.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information is made available.

Further reading

• Body discovered in Ogden, police say its been there since September
• Grand County ‘soda pop geyser’ erupts for the first time in years
• Driver dead after crash in Grand County
• Utah, 6 other Colorado River Basin states offer new alternative to conserve river’s water
• Upper Colorado River Basin to suspend downstream releases from Flaming Gorge

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