A 69-year-old hiker from Arizona was discovered dead near the Mendenhall Glacier following a search in the Juneau area, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Troopers said they were told the morning of August 31 that Thomas Casey was late for a trek. He was last seen on the morning of August 30.
No information regarding where he was going or when he would return was provided.
After Casey’s cell phone was pinged in the area, searchers from Juneau Mountain Rescue and the SEAdogs K-9 team began hunting in a remote region between Thunder Mountain and Nugget Creek trails. Six crews, including three dog teams and six ground searchers, were deployed.
Around 5 p.m. on September 1, personnel discovered Casey deceased from injuries received in a fall. Troopers stated his corpse was discovered toward the west side of the Mendenhall Glacier, away from the route.
RCC and Apple emergency services assisted with the hunt by providing up-to-date cell phone locations. Casey’s body is being transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office to ascertain the cause of death. The next of kin has been notified.
