Lake County man found deceased after winter camping trip
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LAKE COUNTY — The body of Ben Griffing, a 62-year-old Polson resident, was recovered April 15 by Missoula Search and Rescue.
Griffing was reported missing to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 4. It was determined that the last known contact anyone had with him was in Missoula on Jan. 22.
Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said Griffing was headed out of town to do some winter hiking and camping about two weeks before the missing person report came in.
After the report was called in, law enforcement began searching for the man. “An initial search was conducted,” Bell said by Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies in conjunction with a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office detective and a Bureau of Land Management ranger. “But no sign of Griffing was located.”
On April 1, Griffing’s vehicle was found at the Garnet Ghost Town parking area, off U.S. Highway 200 in Missoula County. Two weeks after the vehicle was discovered, Griffing’s backpack was found by shed hunters on April 14 in an area two miles away from where the vehicle was located.
After the backpack was found, Missoula Search and Rescue conducted another search and Griffing’s remains were located on April 15.
“The Missoula County Coroner’s Office is investigating the cause and manner of death; however, no foul play is suspected,” Bell said. “The Lake County Sheriff’s Office sends our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Griffing.”
