Body found in river near Battle Creek Falls; investigation underway
Sep 1, 2023, 11:50 AM | Updated: 5:48 pm
(Adam Provance/Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah — The Utah County Sheriff’s Office reports a body has been found in the area of Battle Creek Falls in the mountains above Pleasant Grove.
Late Friday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office said the deceased individual was a female, who lived in Utah County. They believe she was in her 20s.
Body being recovered from the area of Battle Creek Falls above Pleasant Grove. Details to follow. Media staging at Battle Creek Trailhead at the top of 200 South in Pleasant Grove.
— Utah County Sheriff (@UCSO) September 1, 2023
A hiker called police around 10 a.m. Friday to say they could see a body in the river. It was about 50 yards from Battle Creek Falls, according to Sgt. Spencer Cannon with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
“We don’t know much about the circumstances, how it happened, what the nature is. What we do know is that a body was found.”
Investigators are still trying to determine how she died. However, Cannon said they do have an idea about who the person is.
“We’re holding off on releasing that until we’re able to confirm that with family and with the medical examiner.”
Investigation into body found near Battle Creek Falls began quickly
The area around Battle Creek Falls is popular on weekends and even more so on holiday weekends. Cannon said officials were quick to arrive on the scene and begin their investigation.
“One of the challenges that you have in a situation like this, where a body is found in a stream or a river, is making sure you collect the evidence. That includes looking downstream, where evidence may have been washed downstream.”
That evidence will help officials glean more information about how this happened and who the person is.
Cannon said the Battle Creek Falls area and trailhead have reopened and will remain open as normal throughout the holiday weekend.
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