Authorities investigating after dead body found in Blackrock Canyon

Authorities are investigating after a dead body was found in Blackrock Canyon southeast of Pocatello on Sunday evening.

The Bannock County Coroner’s Office on Monday identified the deceased as Steven Smith, 49, of Pocatello. The cause of his death is suspected to be medically related but will be officially determined following an investigation, Bannock County said in a Monday news release. No foul play is suspected.

“Smith is believed to have gone to the canyon by himself on the morning of Sunday, June 23, to inspect his wrecked ATV, which he had left in the canyon a week prior,” Bannock County said in the news release. “After not hearing from him for several hours, Smith’s friends, who were familiar with the area the ATV had wrecked, went to check on him and found him deceased.”

Smith’s family reported the incident to the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office around 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Sheriff’s deputies, Search and Rescue personnel and the Coroner’s Office responded to the area and secured the location.

The emergency responders found Smith’s body about a mile from the Blackrock Canyon Trailhead in a steep, rocky canyon that was difficult to access without proper off-road vehicles.

Due to the steep terrain and low visibility, authorities determined it was unsafe to recover Smith until the morning. Deputies were at the scene until 3 a.m. Monday and returned at 9 a.m. to resume recovery operations.

By noon on Monday, the Bannock County Search and Rescue team had recovered Smith’s body from the canyon, Bannock County said in the Monday news release.

“The Bannock County Search and Rescue’s Backcountry Rescue Team was essential to successfully completing the recovery mission,” Bannock County said in the news release. “The Backcountry Rescue Team is a new unit of Search and Rescue that is composed of volunteers skilled in backcountry recreation, including skiing, snowmobiling, mountaineering and off-road vehicles. This was its first mission responding to a Search and Rescue call.”

Bannock County Sheriff Tony Manu added, “I want to thank our dedicated volunteers with the Search and Rescue and Backcountry Rescue teams for their willingness to drop everything to help when one of our neighbors is in need. Their efforts are truly appreciated.”

Responders expressed their condolences to Smith’s family for their loss.

“My heart goes out to Steven’s parents, family and friends during this difficult time,” said Coroner Torey Danner.

The investigation into Smith’s death is ongoing, authorities said.