ARIZONA—The Gila County Sheriff’s Office reported a body that was discovered below the Salt River Canyon on Sunday, January 1. The body was discovered approximately 425 feet below the water’s surface.

Authorities received a call about an abandoned vehicle in a nearby roadway pullout, where the area was searched by officers, the White Mountain Apache Tribe Game and Fish Department, the White Mountain Apache Fire and Rescue team, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The search was postponed due to extreme weather conditions.

The next day, a drone was used to continue the search. The Gila County Sheriff’s Office, along with Tonto Rim Search and Rescue Team recovered the body which has been identified as Micah John Austin, 43, of the Queen Creek area. An ongoing investigation of the circumstances of Austin’s death is being conducted by officials.