Andina

Peru Police confirms finding of U.S. citizen's body

Policía confirma hallazgo de cadáver de joven de EE UU desaparecido en Cusco. ANDINA/Difusión

Policía confirma hallazgo de cadáver de joven de EE UU desaparecido en Cusco. ANDINA/Difusión

12:29 | Cusco (Cusco region), Jun. 26.

The Peruvian National Police (PNP) has confirmed the body found in a deep crack in Apu Picol hill (Cusco province) is that of United States citizen Seth Thomas (24), who went missing last Friday, June 23.

The body was recovered from a 300-meter crack by high-mountain rescuers and PNP Crime Investigation agents. The young man's backpack was also retrieved.

The remains were transferred to the Legal Medicine Institute's morgue for the corresponding autopsy to determine the cause of death, Tourism Deputy Prosecutor Alberti Huacac Carrillo told Andina news agency. 
 

The United States Consulate has also been notified. 

Seth Thomas had been working as a volunteer at the "Servi Cusco" local clinic in the Imperial City.

He went hiking by himself on Friday afternoon and was supposed to come back eight hours later, U.S. citizen Karen Anabel Acervedo told local authorities. 


After he failed to return, the young man's friends and acquaintances went looking for him. The body was found on Sunday afternoon. 

A food container, flashlight, camera, scarf, blanket, cell phone, passport, three books and S/170 (about US$52.15) were also found. 

While he is believed to have died after falling in a hiking accident, investigations remain underway to conclusively determine the cause(s) of death. 

(END) PHS/MAO/DHT/MVB

Published: 6/26/2017