Salt Lake County Search and Rescue Team workers recovered the backpack Wednesday of Dr. Jake Gradwohl about 60 feet from where a badly decomposed body, believed to be Gradwohl's, was found Monday in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Although investigators are still waiting for dental records to confirm the body's identity, sheriff's officials said the location of the backpack has left them with little doubt it is Gradwohl, who had been missing since Oct. 14."I don't think there's any question at this point," said Salt Lake County sheriff's Capt. Mike Wilkinson. "We've tentatively identified him."
The blue backpack contained a key to Gradwohl's mailbox at the University of Utah, a key to his car and a hat similar to one Gradwohl was believed to have taken when he went hiking. His car was found at a nearby trail head last fall.
A camera was also recovered Wednesday. Sheriff's officials earlier said Gradwohl had apparently taken photographs from the tops of mountains and may have set out to do so in October. His body was found at the bottom of a 75-foot slope, indicating that he likely fell while hiking.
Searchers were flown in by helicopter Wednesday afternoon and recovered the backpack 60 feet from where a hiker discovered the body in Mill B Fork of Big Cottonwood Canyon.