3 searches yield 3 bodies in Utah County canyons

Utah County search-and-rescue teams spent Sunday dealing with death in Provo, American Fork and Santaquin canyons.

"They were (working) nonstop," said Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Brower. "Usually things come in numbers, but not usually in the same day."

Search crews looked for three bodies, including the body of Brigham Young University student Camille Cleverley, 22, who disappeared Aug. 30.

Cleverley's body was found Sunday near Bridal Veil Falls just after 3:30 p.m. Her body was discovered in thick brush in a spot that had been searched at least once before.

Later that evening, just after 5:30, Utah County emergency dispatchers received a call that 48-year-old Richard Pettit of Herriman had been dragged into the Tibble Fork Reservoir by his horse.

After being spooked by barking dogs, Pettit's horse reared, nearly tossing him off, Brower said. However, Pettit's foot got tangled in the stirrup, and he was dragged into the reservoir.

Witnesses who were fishing in the area called police when the man didn't resurface. The horse eventually came out.

The reservoir was one of Pettit's favorite places to ride, said his ex-wife, Ganiel Pettit.

"He was a wonderful man," she said. "A good father and grandfather."

He is survived by three children and four grandchildren.

Pettit was a self-employed contractor who loved to go camping and spend time with his kids, Ganiel Pettit said.

Utah County Sheriff's Office's search-and-rescue team and divers and Lone Peak EMS found Pettit around 9 p.m. in water about 25 feet deep, said Utah County Sheriff Lt. Yvette Rice.

He was declared dead at the scene.

"Based upon witness accounts, the incident does appear to be simply a tragic accident," Rice said.

Around 11 p.m. Saturday, a mother called county dispatch to report her son had not returned from a hunting trip in Santaquin Canyon.

Dylan Kirk, 24, of Santaquin, was bow hunting and was supposed to meet his mother at Tinney Flats before nightfall.

Sheriff's deputies began searching in the early hours Sunday but suspended efforts until 6 a.m., when search-and-rescue teams and a fixed-wing aircraft could look for the man.

Crews also informed people in that area to look for a missing hunter.

Around 8:30 a.m., a hiker stumbled across Kirk's body.

Police don't believe there was any foul play, nor was there evidence of a gunshot wound or animal bite, Brower said. However, the State Medical Examiner's office will determine the cause of death.

Attempts to reach family members of Kirk were unsuccessful.

---

E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com