Late Sunday afternoon, June 8, at approximately 4:00 pm, park rangers at Isle Royale National Park received two separate reports of two persons found deceased at a remote backcountry campground within the park.

Two rangers hiked overnight 11 miles to the campground to assess the situation, arriving early Monday morning, confirming two unidentified persons found deceased. The causes of death are unknown at this time.

Additional ground and aviation resources responded starting Monday. The incident is currently under investigation. More information will be released as it is made available.

I have a pretty good idea what happened; however, it is not place to say.

Always sad to get this news. I would think it is pretty rare for two to die while camping.

A person I trust (and in a position to know) said that campers packed up and fled the Lake Desor South campground due to hearing a fight with sustained yelling and screaming including a male making violent threats (self harm and harm to others). The campers called 911 when they got a cell signal on the Greenstone Ridge Trail before reaching rangers near Windigo. Windigo to South Desor is about 12 miles. If confirmed that this is related to the deaths, it adds unthinkable tragedy upon the tragedy.

Wow, four years I spent as a parkie/NPS employee, I worked with a number of Isle Royale employees.

I am sorry to hear this, my condolences to anyone affected.

T

KawnipiKid: "A person I trust (and in a position to know) said that campers packed up and fled the Lake Desor South campground due to hearing a fight with sustained yelling and screaming including a male making violent threats (self harm and harm to others). The campers called 911 when they got a cell signal on the Greenstone Ridge Trail before reaching rangers near Windigo. Windigo to South Desor is about 12 miles. If confirmed that this is related to the deaths, it adds unthinkable tragedy upon the tragedy. "

Sounds like what I suspected a murder/suicide.

This is why I always carry protection when camping. People are a far bigger threat than any animal in this part of the country.

10-4 paddler...

NEIowapaddler: "This is why I always carry protection when camping. People are a far bigger threat than any animal in this part of the country. "

What type of protection?

It’s really sad to read this. Such a peaceful place to have violence.

RatherbeDuffing: "What type of protection?"

Condoms... one must take protection seriously.

We don’t really know for sure what happened yet do we? I mean the speculation so far seems reasonable, but so far it’s just speculation.

T

Jackfish: "

RatherbeDuffing: "What type of protection?"

Condoms... one must take protection seriously."

LOL! You never know! ??

timatkn: "We don’t really know for sure what happened yet do we? I mean the speculation so far seems reasonable, but so far it’s just speculation.

T"

Good reminder! Correct, we don't know what happened yet. I tried to keep it strictly to facts that were verified on the ground on the Isle by someone I know well and trust.

KawnipiKid: "

timatkn: "We don’t really know for sure what happened yet do we? I mean the speculation so far seems reasonable, but so far it’s just speculation.

T"

Good reminder! Correct, we don't know what happened yet. I tried to keep it strictly to facts that were verified on the ground on the Isle by someone I know well and trust. "

Although it is speculation. KawnipiKid - your story does align with what was posted in the Isle Royale subreddit. Someone had posted about hearing a bunch of commotion in that area 2 days before the bodies were found.

All in all, it is sad to hear.

RatherbeDuffing: "

NEIowapaddler: "This is why I always carry protection when camping. People are a far bigger threat than any animal in this part of the country. "

What type of protection?"

I try to cover all the bases...

A nightmare for all. :(

FBI was called in to help investigate: This may be standard procedure or an indication something went bad.

Per recent news:
What we don't know:
The National Park Service has not confirmed a cause of death.

As of Wednesday afternoon, there was no update from the department.

What they're saying:
An FBI spokesperson issued a statement to FOX 2 confirming that FBI employees had been on the island, but added it did not mean the agency had begun a probe into the deaths.

"We routinely assist our law enforcement partners upon request; however, this does not necessarily result in the FBI opening an investigation. FBI policy prohibits the confirmation of the existence of investigations, the release of information on investigations and any public report on the closing on an investigation."

Jackfish: "

RatherbeDuffing: "What type of protection?"

Condoms... one must take protection seriously."

Really inappropriate.

The bodies have been identified. No threat to the public.

nps.gov

tumblehome: "

Jackfish: "

RatherbeDuffing: "What type of protection?"

Condoms... one must take protection seriously."

Really inappropriate."

Considering the tragic context of this thread, I'm sorry that I must agree with tumblehome.

Jackfish, as a moderator of this site, you do tremendous work and are to be admired for the quality you maintain for this forum which has kept me engaged here for quite a number of years and has led me to a number of your advertisers. In doing so you have therefore set a "higher standard" for yourself so whereas others may have more leeway in a situation like this, I would expect that you as a moderator would want to reserve what I assume was an attempt at humor for more lighthearted discussions.

Sorry for the downer comment but the fact remains that two people are dead and that's what struck me when I first read your post. When I saw tublehome's reply, I felt compelled to chime in as well as respectfully as I could. Thanks.

Tumblehome and bottomtothetap: Lighten up, Francis. I don't like Jackfish's instigation on the whether to carry firearms in the BWCA or not, which is exactly what he was doing, nor his history on this topic to let his opinion rule the day even when civil discussion are occurring. Many ways to bake a cake. But it's a internet message board, save the holier than thou for a venue a little more appropriate.

Geez, I go away for the weekend and don't even look at the board, and when I do, I see that I'm being criticized for a joke on a messageboard. Nothing I say will change anyone's mind one way or the other so I'll just let it pass.

I appreciate CoachWalleye's comment of "lighten up, Francis" as a sort of show of support, but the comment about my "opinion ruling the day even when civil discussions are taking place" was off target. I should never be considered the final say. I'm just a board member like everyone else and I enjoy the daily questions, comments, responses and everyday back and forth banter.

I respect all of you and your opinions. I'll leave it at that.

This guy was at the campground on the night of June 6th, and heard enough disturbed screaming and yelling from the other section that he and his group decided to packed up at 11pm and hiked out 12 mile. They called 911 as soon as they had a signal.
https://www.reddit.com/r/isleroyale/comments/1l5ti5e/comment/mwk8tla/

https://www.reddit.com/r/isleroyale/comments/1l5ti5e/screams_at_desor_south_on_6625

Sorry you will need to copy and paste link. His post was from June 7th, a day before bodies were found. In the thread is a campground map, he was camped at 7 and thought the yelling and threats were coming from the group camping area.

You have the ability to post direct links is as well. Ironically the directions are right above this post :) I put a link below.


Just an FYI both of those threads are locked in Reddit with the message:

“ PLEASE KEEP THE CONVERSATION CIVIL.

Out of respect for the families of any potential victims I’m asking that all commenters stop speculating or spreading rumors. NPS will update all of us when they are able.

If you have relevant information please contact the park or appropriate agencies.

Any more legitimate reports on this post or issues with folks not remaining civil this thread will be locked.

Please re-familiarize yourselves with the rules on this sub Reddit before commenting or reporting posts.

” Posting links

A place called Windigo?? I'm not staying there. Knowing some of the meaning to some of the indigenous peoples.

Windigo is an awesome place on Isle Royale.

not much change in info-but sounds very violent.

timatkn: "Windigo is an awesome place on Isle Royale. "

Yes it is. A great place for a celebratory photo after hiking 50 miles from Rock Harbor.