Missing Man Found Dead Near North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park
The search for a missing Illinois man reached a tragic end Friday when search crews found his body, two days after the man's wife said he went for a hike near Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance, but failed to check in.
Jeff Murphy, 53, of Batavia, Illinois, apparently died from a fall on Turkey Pen Peak, according to a news release from Yellowstone National Park.
On Wednesday, he left for a day hike on the Rescue Creek Trail. Park authorities started searching for him Thursday when his wife reported Murphy had failed to check in.
"All of us at Yellowstone extend our sympathy to the Murphy family for their tragic loss," Park Superintendent Dan Wenk said in the statement.
At the height of the search, eight hiking teams, five dog teams, four horse teams and a helicopter were involved.
The Rescue Creek Trail, which was closed due to the search, has reopened. Visitors should anticipate temporary closures in the area until the investigation into Murphy's death is complete.