Woman found dead in vehicle at Yellowstone National Park

Posted 5/16/23

A woman was found dead in a vehicle in Yellowstone National Park Saturday afternoon, prompting an ongoing investigation by law enforcement officials.

Park rangers “responded to an incident …

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Woman found dead in vehicle at Yellowstone National Park

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A woman was found dead in a vehicle in Yellowstone National Park Saturday afternoon, prompting an ongoing investigation by law enforcement officials.

Park rangers “responded to an incident on Craig Pass,” about 3 miles south of Old Faithful, and observed a vehicle had been driven into a snowbank, according to a Monday news release from the National Park Service.

They found a man standing outside the car and “on further inspection, they located a deceased female inside,” the release said, adding that investigators are “are determining what led to the female’s death” and working to notify her next-of-kin.

The man was detained and then arrested for drug possession and other traffic-related charges, the release said.

Federal court records show only one pending case that meets that description: a Texas man who was arrested Saturday on misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, driving with a suspended or revoked license and “occupants of care not using seat belts.” In a Monday court filing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the Texas resident should remain in federal custody for the time being, citing a “serious risk” the man would flee and of justice being obstructed. Assistant U.S. Attorney T.J. Forwood also said there were no conditions of release that would reasonably assure the “safety of any other person and the community” or that the man would reappear for court. The Tribune is not naming the man because a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office would not confirm he was the person found with the vehicle.

“… we are unable to make any other statements due to an ongoing investigation,” said spokeswoman Lori Hogan.

It was around 7:30 p.m. Saturday that Yellowstone officials announced the road from Old Faithful to West Thumb Junction was closed due to an ongoing “law enforcement incident.” On Sunday morning, the park announced the road would be closed all day, but they reopened it at 9:20 p.m. Visitors in the park reported seeing ambulances and other official vehicles heading to the scene prior to the road closure.

“Additional information will be provided as the investigation proceeds,” a park official said in Monday’s release. The investigation is being performed by the National Park Service (Investigative Services Branch and Yellowstone Law Enforcement Division), with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Attorney’s Office and the Teton County Coroner’s Office.

 

— CJ Baker contributed reporting

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