Sheriff identifies dead hiker found on Appalachian Trail as man from Schenectady, NY

UPDATE 2:12 P.M. FINCASTLE, Va. ( WFXR ) – The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of the hiker found dead along the Andy Layne area of the Appalachian Trail on September 7.

67-year-old Thomas Vanetten from Schenectady, NY was found dead on Saturday.

The investigation is ongoing. The body has been taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner for an official cause of death; however, the sheriff does not currently believe there is any foul play involved.

WFXR News will update you with more information as it becomes available.

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FINCASTLE, Va. ( WFXR ) – An individual was found dead near the Andy Layne Trail portion of the Appalachian Trail on Saturday, September, 7.

Botetourt County sheriff’s deputies and emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene where they located the individual in a portion of the trail near Lambert’s Meadow Shelter.

The individual was confirmed dead at the scene.

The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office reported that nothing suspicious was found at the scene and foul play is not currently suspected.

The cause of death has not been reported.

The body has been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner and the identity of the hiker has not been released.

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