Body Found In Rocky Mountain National Park Thought To Be That Of Missing Texan

Submitted by NPT Staff on February 6, 2013 - 8:06am

A body found propped up against a tree in Rocky Mountain National Park by two snowshoers is thought to be that of a Texas man missing since late last week.

Park officials say the body was discovered Tuesday afternoon in an area west of Bear Lake in a thick timbered area, approximately 100 feet off a summer hiking trail. Larimer County (Colorado) Coroner’s office will not release positive identification until completion of an autopsy. However, it is believed that the body is that of Troy Green, 39, from San Antonio, Texas, the park said.

The location where the body was found, near the Flattop Mountain trail, was inside the search area but approximately one mile north of the Tyndall Gorge and Nymph Lake region where search managers believed that the man may have hiked.

The body was found in an area that had been searched several times by ground personnel, a dog team, and helicopter over-flights. It was against a tree and dressed in dark-colored clothing.

A recovery team reached the Bear Lake Trailhead at 6:30 p.m. with the body. Because the investigation is ongoing, the Flattop Trail from the north side of Bear Lake is temporarily closed.

Mr. Green was planning to attend a conference in Denver. When his wife did not hear from him on Thursday, January 31, she contacted the Denver Police Department. He did not arrive at the conference on Friday. On Friday afternoon, February 1, an advisory was given for his rental car that matched a vehicle found early Friday morning by park rangers at the Bear Lake parking lot.

Search efforts began Friday afternoon. During the weekend teams searched throughout the Bear Lake system of trails; focusing on off- trail areas particularly in the Mill Creek Drainage, in the Flattop Mountain area, and between Bear Lake and Dream Lake.

Park rangers were assisted by Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Arapahoe Rescue Patrol, and Summit County Rescue. Aerial search efforts also took place over this entire area. Searchers faced winter conditions with deep and drifting snow and high winds. Hundreds of visitors were in the Bear Lake area over the weekend also serving as eyes and ears.