Coroner rules hiker’s death an accidental fall

Eagle County Coroner Kara Bettis today announced that 39-year-old James McGrogan, whose body was found last week by back-country skiers near Booth Falls, died of multiple injuries sustained in a fall.

James McGrogan

Following an autopsy she performed over the weekend, Bettis ruled McGrogan’s death was an accident and that his injuries, including head trauma, were consistent with a fall.

McGrogan became separated from his group while hiking to the Eiseman Hut on March 14. He went on ahead of the group but when they arrived at the hut, McGrogan wasn’t there. A massive search operation lasting several days was finally suspended due to bad weather.

Back-country skiers found McGrogan’s body on April 3, approximately four and a half miles east of where he was last seen.