A 62-year-old man was found dead near a popular hiking trail off Littlerock Road in Thurston County on Sunday afternoon. Authorities believe the death may have been due to a medical emergency, with no signs of foul play reported so far.
Man Identified as Centralia Resident Jon Bryant
Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock identified the man as Jon Bryant of Centralia. As of Tuesday, an official cause of death had not been confirmed, but investigators say there is currently no indication that foul play was involved.
Coroner Warnock said a medical examination was scheduled for Tuesday to help determine what led to Bryant’s death.
Body Found Near Popular Trail Access
Lt. Mike Brooks of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said the man’s body was found around 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 14, in the 16000 block of Littlerock Road Southwest. The area is well-known among local hikers and provides access to nearby state land. It’s also located just south of the Black River access point, a frequently visited outdoor spot.
According to Brooks, a person preparing to head onto the trail discovered Bryant’s body and notified authorities.
No Signs of Foul Play
While the investigation is still ongoing, early reports suggest that Bryant may have suffered a medical issue before his death. Officials have not released further details pending the results of the autopsy.
