BELLEFONTE – Two missing hunters were found in different areas of Centre County on Saturday, according to statements issued by the Centre County Coroner’s office in Bellefonte.
The first missing hunter was located deceased on private property in the Spring Mills area on Saturday, Dec. 13 just before 9:30 a.m. The individual was found in a wooded area by a neighboring landowner.
Initially, emergency response agencies were dispatched at about 4:30 p.m. Friday to the 400 block of 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.
Responding authorities conducted an initial assessment at the scene. There were no indications of foul play. An autopsy was performed on Sunday at 9 a.m., according to Centre County Deputy Coroner Arika M. Rogers.
Preliminary findings indicate the individual passed away due to natural causes. The final cause of death remains pending further examination and testing.
The second missing hunter was found after Centre County Emergency Communications Center received a call for service at 6:51 p.m. reporting a hunter who had failed to return to camp in Curtin Township.
Howard Twp. Fire Dept., Citizens Hook and Ladder of Milesburg, and Rockview-based state police were dispatched to conduct a search for the individual. At approximately 8:33 p.m., the individual was located deceased by state troopers with assistance from multiple responding agencies and fellow hunters.
The Centre County Coroner’s Office was subsequently requested to respond to the scene.
No indications of foul play were observed at the scene, according to a statement released by Centre County Deputy Coroner Matthew Burnheimer.
An autopsy was scheduled to further determine the cause and manner of death. Inclement weather, hazardous road conditions, and rugged terrain made recovery efforts challenging; however, all operations were completed safely and without incident.
The hunters’ identities were not disclosed as of Gazette press time.
The department thanked all responding agencies and emergency personnel for their professionalism and dedication during the incidents.
Special appreciation was also extended to the residents and neighboring landowners who assisted in the search efforts, cooperated with road closures, and provided support throughout the operation.
