Coroner: Hunter Found Dead After Search in Penns Valley Likely Died of Natural Causes

A hunter who was found dead in Penns Valley after a search that spanned Friday night and Saturday morning appears to have died of natural causes, according to the Centre County Coroner’s Office.

A neighboring land owner found the hunter at about 9:25 a.m. Saturday in a wooded area on private property in Gregg Township, Deputy Coroner Arika Rogers wrote in a press release on Sunday night. An assessment of the scene found no signs of foul play.

An autopsy was performed on Sunday morning, with preliminary findings indicating the death resulted from natural causes, Rogers wrote. The death investigation is ongoing and a final determination of the cause is pending further examination and testing.

The hunter’s identity has not yet been disclosed.

Emergency response agencies were dispatched at about 4:30 p.m. Friday to the 400 block Green Grove Road in Gregg Township for a search detail. The search continued into Friday night and resumed Saturday morning shortly before the body was discovered.

Gregg Township, Centre Hall, Miles Township and Millheim fire companies, Centre County Emergency Management, Penns Valley EMS, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and state police, as well as the coroner’s office, responded to the scene.

“The department would like to extend a sincere thank you to all responding agencies and emergency personnel for their professionalism and dedication during this incident,” Rogers wrote in a statement. “Special appreciation is also extended to the residents and neighboring landowners who assisted in the search efforts, cooperated with road closures, and provided support throughout the operation. Their assistance and patience were greatly appreciated.”