Yellowstone National Park officials report that the name of the suicide victim found yesterday (October 16, 2003) is Dr. James Clement Jeffery, 40 years old, of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Once a forensic autopsy is completed, the official cause of death will be released.

The search for Dr. Jeffery first began Wednesday, October 15, 2003, after several notes were found upon searching the abandoned vehicle he had been driving, indicating his intention to commit suicide. The red 2000 Chevy Blazer was first noted among several other vehicles at a Slough Creek parking area on Sunday, October 12, 2003. When the vehicle was still there on Wednesday, October 15, park rangers checked the vehicle, noticed the license plates were missing, and began an investigation.

More than 12 park staff and two search dog teams were involved in the extensive search and were able to locate the body of Dr. Jeffery at around 1:00 pm, approximately two miles north of the Slough Creek trailhead.

An ongoing investigation is continuing. Yellowstone Criminal Investigators are asking anyone who has seen or had contact with Dr. Jeffery in the last month, either in Bozeman, Montana, or in the park-specifically the Slough Creek area-to please call Supervisory Special Agent Brian Smith at: 307-344-2120.

Information provided by the NPS

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