Body Discovered in Grand Canyon National Park Below Navajo Bridge

Body Discovered in Grand Canyon National Park Below Navajo Bridge
Date: November 17, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958


Grand Canyon, Ariz. - At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 17, rangers at Lees Ferry received a report from Peregrine Fund employees of unusual condor activity in the vicinity of Navajo Bridge which spans the Colorado River five miles below Lees Ferry.

Upon receiving the report, two rangers responded to the area and discovered the body of an unidentified male just below Navajo Bridge, approximately 20 feet from the water on river right.

After conducting initial investigations, rangers transported the body via boat up river to Lees Ferry where it was transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner.

An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service with the assistance of the Coconino County Medical Examiner.

No additional information is available at this time.

Body Discovered Below Navajo Bridge in Grand Canyon National Park Identified
Date: December 12, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. - A body found below Navajo Bridge on November 17 has been identified as that of 52-year-old James Waibel of Glendale, Arizona. The body was discovered after rangers at Lees Ferry responded to a report by Peregrine Fund employees of unusual condor activity in the vicinity of the bridge, located approximately five miles below Lees Ferry. Mr. Waibel had been missing since October 24. The cause and manner of death are still under investigation.

An investigation into this incident is being conducted by the National Park Service with the assistance of the Coconino County Medical Examiner.