A medical examiner has completed an autopsy report for the death of an Arizona State University student whose body was found in May below the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Sandarsh Krishna Murthy, 26, who had been reported missing on April 28, was on track to receive a master's degree in computer science from ASU and already had a job lined up, family members have said.
The Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office concluded that Krishna Murthy died by suicide. His body showed multiple blunt force injuries due to a fall from a height, the medical examiner's report said.
Search and rescue responders recovered his body on May 9, below the South Rim near Verkamp’s Visitor Center, which is in the Grand Canyon National Park along the Rim Trail just
east of El Tovar Lodge, the National Park Service said.
Krishna Murthy made a last-minute trip to the Grand Canyon and had been planning to visit Las Vegas as well, his family said.
He was last known to be alive on April 27, when he had checked into a hotel at the Grand Canyon. He was reported missing the next day when his family was unable to contact him, the medical examiner's report said.
His backpack was found on April 28 by a park visitor on the rim of the Grand Canyon near where his body was found two weeks later.
Family members had expressed concerns of suicidal behavior when they reported him missing, the medical examiner's report said.
How to get help in Arizona
Here are services for Arizonans who may be in crisis:
- Dial 2-1-1 to reach 211 Arizona.
- Solari Crisis & Human Services offers a free, statewide crisis line 24/7/365 — dial 844-534-HOPE (4673). Help is also available 24/7/365 via text by texting “hope” to 4HOPE (4673).
- Dial 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available in English and Spanish. It's free and confidential for those in distress who need prevention or crisis resources for themselves or loved ones.
- La Frontera Empact Suicide Prevention Center's crisis line serves Maricopa and Pinal counties 24/7 at 480-784-1500.
- Teen Lifeline 24/7 crisis line serves teens at 602-248-8336 for Maricopa County and 1-800-248-8336 statewide.
- The Trevor Project Lifeline serves LGBTQ youth at 866-488-7386.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cause of death disclosed for ASU student found dead in Grand Canyon
