By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The Lewis County Coroner’s Office has made a tentative identification of the woman whose body was found below a lookout in the southern part of Mount Rainier National Park and is in touch with that woman’s family.
Coroner Warren McLeod said he’s determined the cause and manner of death but won’t reveal it until he knows for sure who the woman is.
“The extensive injuries are making it difficult,” McLeod said today.
Park officials located the body on Monday at the base of a cliff below Ricksecker Point, a dramatic lookout between Longmire and Paradise. Rangers had been investigating a vehicle parked for several days at the lookout and found identification which they linked to a missing person report.
The injuries are consistent with a fall from a great height, according to park spokesperson Patti Wold.
McLeod said he is hoping to use dental records or finger prints to make a positive identification by the end of the week.
The death is being investigated by park service law enforcement.
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For background, read “News brief: Body found at base of cliff near Longmire” from Tuesday September 25, 2012 at 5:27 p.m., here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter