Young woman's body found in Cache Co. canyon

CACHE COUNTY — The body of an 18-year-old young woman missing since Aug. 5 has been found in Green Canyon.

Andrea Celina Roye, of Las Vegas, told friends she was going on an overnight hiking trip in that area. But she was reported missing a day later by her boyfriend. A large search was conducted for five days, but was eventually scaled back after deputies determined Roye was in the mountains of her own free will and had no evidence that she had been hurt or was in danger.

On Sunday, about 5 p.m., the Cache County Sheriff's Office received a call from hikers reporting a strange odor about 150 yards off the Beirdneau trail about three-quarters of a mile from the Green Canyon trailhead.

When deputies went up to investigate, they located both Roye's body and her dog, Gerome, who was nearby and still alive. Gerome had stayed with Roye's body, but the dog was too frightened to approach sheriff's officials when called, said Lt. Matt Bilodeau.

Evidence at the scene suggested Roye died as a result of suicide, according to a statement from the sheriff's office. An autopsy from the Utah State Medical Examiner was scheduled to be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

Animal control officers were expected to return to the mountain Monday to try and retrieve Gerome and return him to Roye's family.

— Pat Reavy