Identification Made of Man Reported over the Edge at Grand Canyon

Rangers Respond to Report of Someone over the Edge at Grand Canyon
Date: May 21, 2010
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – At approximately 5:40 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of someone over the edge near Mather Point on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Upon arriving at the scene, approximately one-quarter mile east of Mather Point, rangers spotted a body 400 – 600 feet below the rim. Witnesses indicated that a man was seen running up to and over the edge.

Initial efforts to hike to the body were unsuccessful. Instead, search and rescue crew members had to rappel down to the body to prepare it for transport.

At approximately 1:15 p.m., the body was lifted out of the canyon by helicopter via long-line, and transported to the park helibase where it was met by the Coconino County Medical Examiner.

Rangers are investigating the incident as a possible suicide. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Identification Made of Man Reported over the Edge at Grand Canyon
Date: June 2, 2010
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The body of a man retrieved from below the rim at Grand Canyon National Park on Friday, May 21, has been identified as 64 year old Michael McMahon of Long Beach, California.

At approximately 5:40 a.m. on May 21, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of someone over the edge near Mather Point on the South Rim. Upon arriving at the scene, rangers spotted a body almost 600 feet below the rim and were told by witnesses that they had seen a man running up to and over the edge of the canyon. The body was retrieved by helicopter via long-line and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner

Mr. McMahon’s death has been ruled a suicide.