2 campers found dead in national park, officials say

HOUGHTON, Mich. (WLUC/Gray News) - Two people were found dead in a remote national park in Upper Michigan last week, according to park officials.

The National Park Service said it received two separate reports of people found dead at a remote backcountry campground within Isle Royale National Park, which is a remote island in Lake Superior near Upper Michigan’s border with Canada, on June 10.

In a release from the National Park Service on Thursday, park officials said the bodies had been identified.

Isle Royal Supervisory Park Ranger Liz Valencia said the causes of the two peoples’ deaths were not animal-related on Friday.

“This incident was not related to wildlife in any way,” Valencia said.

Valencia also said the victims’ next of kin were being notified. Their names have not yet been released to the public. No information on where the campers were from was released either.

Valencia could not provide additional information about the circumstances surrounding the deaths, but the National Park Service said there is no danger to the public.

The National Park Service said the campers were found at South Lake Desor Campground near Greenstone Ridge Trail.

When the reports of the bodies were made to park officials on June 10, rangers trekked 11 hours overnight to investigate. Once the deaths were confirmed, the parks began bringing in resources for an investigation.

“There’s a separate team in the National Park Service,” Valencia said. “It’s an investigative services branch, so they came. There were other agencies that participated... we do have a contracted fixed-wing airplane... that provided support, flying investigators back and forth, and rangers. And then... there was a helicopter.”

The FBI confirmed in a statement Thursday that it was also on the island after the hikers were found.

The agency did not provide any additional information.

“We routinely assist our law enforcement partners upon request,” it said in a statement. “However, this does not necessarily result in the FBI opening an investigation. FBI policy prohibits the confirmation of the existence of investigations, the release of information on investigations and any public report on the closing on an investigation.”

Valencia said she did not know when the next investigation update would be made and also hopes the deaths don’t discourage other park visitors.

“I want people to really understand that generally it’s a very safe place to camp and hike and recreate,” Valencia said. “There’s a lot of people out there now having a wonderful trip and I hope it continues for the summer.”

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