Officials identify body found in Colorado River

MOAB — The body of a man found floating in the Colorado River last week has been identified.

The Utah State Medical Examiner's Office identified him as Jody Page, 36, of Moab. Page and a friend were canoeing near Hiddle Bottom on June 11, 2009, when their canoe overturned in some rapids, said Grand County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Curt Brewer.

While a rafting party picked up his friend, Page was unable to swim to safety.

Local, state and national agencies conducted an extensive search, but Page's body wasn't recovered until last week.

On April 13, boaters on the river noticed the man's body floating in the water next to state Route 279 near Moab, Brewer said.

— Josh Smith