UTAH COUNTY, Utah, May 9, 2022 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah County Search and Rescue crews have located the body of a motorcyclist who went missing after a ride to Mapleton Canyon on Sunday afternoon.
The motorcycle belonging to 65-year-old Blake Dean Baxter was found overnight, but he was not nearby.
“Motorcycle found at 8,200 feet elevation, but he has not been found yet,” said a statement issued this early Monday by Utah County SAR. “Near whiteout conditions preventing air support.”
Shortly before 1 p.m. Monday, Baxter’s body was located.
“He was less than a mile from where the motorcycle was found,” said Utah County Sheriff spokesman Sgt. Spencer Cannon. “We don’t know what caused him to pass away. It’s likely weather-related or a pre-existing medical condition or a combination of factors. But we we don’t know.”
Cannon said that when crews returned early Monday to resume searching, the temperature was 21 degrees, with a heavy snow.
Baxter lived in Springville.
