Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: The road from Shannon Campground to the MGIO is closed to public motorized travel for the winter.
By Jon Johnson
MOUNT GRAHAM – Hypothermia was the most likely cause of death of a Tennessee man who apparently attempted to hike from the Shannon Campground to the Mount Graham International Observatory (MGIO) on Feb. 1.
Pierre Romelus, 49, of La Vergne, Tennessee, was found on Feb. 3 by an Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger rescue crew after a two-day search. Romelus was discovered deceased upon contact in the Grant Creek area.
Deputies and Search and Rescue with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office were initially dispatched the evening of Feb. 1, after Romelus’ wife called County Dispatch and advised her husband was missing. She said Romelus planned to hike to the MGIO and his last communication was a Facebook post from Feb. 1 at about 12 p.m. with a picture of Romelus on the mountain with the telescopes in the background.
Romelus’ wife called dispatch at about 7:39 p.m. that night. After locating Romelus’ truck in the Shannon Campground area, the SAR was called out at about 11 p.m. to begin a search, following a track and checking cabins and other areas.
The Ranger joined the search the following day, however, the flight time was limited due to inclement weather, which suspended air search operations. According to the release, Greenlee County Search and Rescue, the University of Arizona Police, and the U.S. Forest Service also assisted with the search.
After weather conditions improved on Feb. 3, the Ranger resumed his search from the air, and the team located a track. Rescue members descended from the helicopter and located items belonging to Romelus and then, ultimately, Romelus himself.
According to the autopsy results from the Pima County Office of Medical Examiner, Romelus died of hypothermia with the possibility of drowning. Romelus was found in the snow with his head submerged in the creek.
The report also lists additional information that corroborates the cause of death from hypothermia. Additionally, the toxicology report showed no pertinent results.
Romelus is survived by his wife, Erla, two sons, Pierre Romelus Jr., and Noah, and daughter, Maerlie, all of La Vergne, Tennessee.
