COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. – The body of a man who was reported missing from the Jacob Lake area earlier this week was found Thursday, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
CCSO said 66-year-old Russell Vinton’s wife was reported missing Tuesday after camping with friends in the Jacob Lake area, about 30 miles north of the Grand Canyon. He announced that the days had passed. he.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office
When deputies arrived at Vinton’s campsite, they did not find Vinton’s truck or camper, but they did find items that were “suspicious in nature,” making them concerned for Vinton’s safety.
It is unclear what items were found at the campsite.
On Wednesday morning, the Lake Havasu Police Department contacted CCSO to inform them that Vinton’s truck was found on the outskirts of Lake Havasu City, more than 360 miles from Jacob Lake Campground.
CCSO officers were struck by gunfire as they attempted to make contact with the man inside the truck. The officers returned fire and shot the man inside.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and the officers were treated for minor injuries at the hospital.
The man involved in the shooting was identified as Patrick Champion, 61, of Tennessee. CCSO has not said whether Champion is the person Vinton was camping with before he was reported missing or if there is a connection to Vinton’s disappearance and death.
Deputies continue to search Vinton’s camper trailer. This is listed as a white 2017 travel trailer with Arizona license 5LA50N. Anyone with information is asked to contact CCSO at 928-774-4523 or Coconino County Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office
CCSO did not say where Vinton’s body was found. His cause of death has not been made public.
