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unhappycamper

(60,364 posts) Tue Jan 3, 2012, 07:56 AM Jan 2012

Body of suspect found on Mount Rainier

Pierce County Sheriff's Dept. AP Photo
In this undated photo provided by the Pierce County Sheriff's Dept., Benjamin Colton Barnes, is shown. Officials said Barnes, the suspected killer of ranger Margaret Anderson, was found dead in Paradise Creek at Mount Rainier on Monday.

Body of suspect found on Mount Rainier
CRAIG HILL AND DEBBIE CAFAZZO; Staff writers
Published: 01/02/12 9:55 pm | Updated: 01/02/12 10:11 pm

A man suspected of shooting a ranger to death was found dead Monday in Mount Rainier National Park, likely defeated by the mountain his victim worked to protect.

A day after 34-year-old ranger Margaret Anderson was shot by a driver who ran through a safety checkpoint, the suspect’s body was found partially submerged in Paradise Creek about a mile from the scene, authorities said.

Benjamin Colton Barnes, 24, appeared to have died of exposure to winter conditions, Pierce County sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said. The medical examiner was on hand to examine and remove the body and will make the final determination of cause of death. No determination had been made as of Monday night.

~snip~

Barnes served two years, seven months in the Army before receiving a less than honorable discharge in November 2009, said Maj. Chris Ophardt, an Army spokesman.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/02/1967042/body-of-suspect-found-on-mount.html

10 replies

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Body of suspect found on Mount Rainier (Original Post) unhappycamper Jan 2012 OP

I've been wondering how he died jimlup Jan 2012 #1

an article i read yesterday barbtries Jan 2012 #4

Something I read yesterday ... lpbk2713 Jan 2012 #7

Hypothermia, according to a Portland news station jobendorfer Jan 2012 #8

I've climbed Rainier twice but not in the winter jimlup Jan 2012 #10

Evidently learning about surviving winter conditions wasn't in his army training. hobbit709 Jan 2012 #2

I think his 'less than honorable discharge' will provide clues Ichingcarpenter Jan 2012 #3

Hmmm, makes me wonder if Barnes wasn't one of this unfortunate souls to be classified by the Citizen Worker Jan 2012 #5

Maybe he should have worn a shirt. You can't shoot hypothermia with an assault rifle. n/t Ian David Jan 2012 #6

heartbreaking tragedy riverwalker Jan 2012 #9

jimlup

(7,968 posts)

1. I've been wondering how he died

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 08:00 AM

Jan 2012

Was it hypothermia or did he get shot in the gunfire he initiated when killing the ranger and bleed out? Will we ever know?

barbtries

(28,805 posts)

4. an article i read yesterday

Reply to jimlup (Reply #1)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 08:21 AM

Jan 2012

stated there were no visible wounds. i think we will know for sure eventually. if he was shot it's not as if they would want to hide that fact.

lpbk2713

(42,760 posts)

7. Something I read yesterday ...

Reply to jimlup (Reply #1)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 10:22 AM

Jan 2012

said the ranger's pistol was still in the holster. Her job was more law enforcement
related rather than as a guide so she was authorized to carry a weapon.

jobendorfer

(508 posts)

8. Hypothermia, according to a Portland news station

Reply to jimlup (Reply #1)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 10:49 AM

Jan 2012

The suspected shooter was found face down, in deep snow, near a stream he'd just crossed.
He was wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and was missing one of his tennis shoes.

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Rainier-gunmans-body-might-have-been-found-136536773.html

Wet cotton clothing plus near freezing temperatures is what killed him. Variations on this theme kill hikers in the Cascades every year.

J.

jimlup

(7,968 posts)

10. I've climbed Rainier twice but not in the winter

Reply to jobendorfer (Reply #8)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 10:41 PM

Jan 2012

So I understand that conditions can be quite challenging. Still I'm surprised that he expired so quickly if he was trained in "survival techniques". But given the gravity of the situation he was obviously deeply stressed at the time.

I think standing on the summit of Rainier (Columbia Crest) for about 5 min. in August of 2009 was the coldest I've ever been in my life. We had just completed a night climb up the standard route and had made the summit for sunrise. It was pretty awesome. The full moon setting in the west - the sun rising in the east and smoke from the then forest fires creeping around us with the clouds down below.

I'm deeply saddened to hear of the Rangers passing. I wonder if she was one of the many I talked to as I signed in and out for my summit climb.

hobbit709

(41,694 posts)

2. Evidently learning about surviving winter conditions wasn't in his army training.

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 08:01 AM

Jan 2012

I'd say Mother Nature didn't take kindly to someone who killed one of her stewards.

Ichingcarpenter

(36,988 posts)

3. I think his 'less than honorable discharge' will provide clues

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 08:12 AM

Jan 2012

and why the army didn't follow up on this guy with an alert to authorities.

Citizen Worker

(1,785 posts)

5. Hmmm, makes me wonder if Barnes wasn't one of this unfortunate souls to be classified by the

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 08:47 AM

Jan 2012

military as having a pre-existing personality disorder and discharged. Thus, absolving the military of any responsibility to treat his condition? Just asking.

Ian David

(69,059 posts)

6. Maybe he should have worn a shirt. You can't shoot hypothermia with an assault rifle. n/t

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 10:17 AM

Jan 2012

riverwalker

(8,694 posts)

9. heartbreaking tragedy

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Tue Jan 3, 2012, 10:51 AM

Jan 2012

If he served 2 years and 7 months, discharged in Nov 2009, and was 24, that mean he entered the Army right out of high school, and sent to Iraq.
His father was a Marine.
He froze to death in an icy creek, chased by hounds. But I know what killed him (and Margaret Anderson)....the cursed war.

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