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SAN JUAN COUNTY — The body of a 69-year-old Kanab man who was reported missing June 21 was found Saturday near Canyonlands National Park.
Kenneth Johnson was last seen in Monticello and was known to be visiting archeological sites before the time of his death, according to the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.
His body was found at about 3 p.m. by San Juan County sheriff's deputies and National Park Service rangers responding to a report of a vehicle stuck in sand in Davis Canyon,a statement from the sheriff's office said. The vehicle description matched that of Johnson's dark blue 2006 Jeep Liberty.
"Digging marks around the tires of the vehicle were visible," the statement said. "Mr. Johnson's body was found only 50 feet from the vehicle, under the shade of a cedar tree."
Johnson had a history of heart disease, according to the sheriff's office, and because he was found with a shovel still in his hand it's believed he experienced heart problems while trying to dig the vehicle out.
An autopsy will be performed to determine exact cause of death, the statement said.
Contributing: Cassidy Hansen
