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Missing North Carolina hiker found dead in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Posted at 6:04 AM, Jun 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-15 08:12:12-04

Search crews have recovered the body of an overdue hiker from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in southwestern Colorado.

The Montrose Daily Press reports the 24-year-old North Carolina man, whose name and hometown have not been released, was reported overdue Saturday. His body was spotted at the base of a cliff Monday and was recovered Tuesday.

The National Park Service says it appears the man fell, but investigators are still trying to determine why.

The hiker had obtained a wilderness permit and indicated that he planned to return to his vehicle Saturday. Family members became concerned later that afternoon and contacted park authorities, who then launched the search.

The Montrose County coroner's office will determine a cause and manner of death.