On Sunday, February 4, 2024, an off-duty Glen Canyon National Recreation Area employee made a discovery she wasn’t planning on. The individual was hiking in the Blue Pools area south of Big Water, Utah, a little before 10 a.m., when she happened onto what appeared to be an old campsite and possible human remains. She quickly called law enforcement, which prompted a response from rangers from Glen Canyon, and deputies from Kane County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation resulted in evidence being collected that consisted of some coolers, clothing and various bones. Among the recovered items was a passport, and a wallet containing a driver’s license belonging to Matthew Lee Camarillo from Illinois. It took several days of investigation to finally locate a family member. Matthew’s father was able to assist the Utah State Medical Examiner’s office in finding dental records that were used to positively identify the remains as belonging to Matthew.
Kane County Sheriff’s Office offers their condolences to the family and hope they can find peace and closure knowing their family member has been located.
