Missing Doctor Found Dead After Falling To Her Death Near Waterfall, Getting Partially Buried During Solo Hike

A missing Wisconsin doctor who went on a solo hike was reportedly found dead and partially buried in a steep clay bank after falling to her death when the ground beneath her collapsed.

The body of Kelsey Musgrove, a cardiothoracic surgery fellow at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, who reportedly went missing on March 30 after she set off on a solo hike, was in a clay bank at Potato River Falls in Gurney on Sunday, April 3, New York Post reported.

Musgrove was last heard from when she reached the Potato River Falls in Gurney on March 26. However, when she failed to return from the hike, she was reported missing and authorities in Middletown, where Musgrove is from, alerted the Iron County Sheriff's Office about her disappearance.

Middletown authorities then provided a description of her vehicle to the sheriff’s office and also requested them to check the Potato River Falls area. Following this, the deputies found the described vehicle in the parking of the trail headed to the falls. Following the discovery, the authorities launched an expansive ground, air, and water search to find Musgrove.

With the help of two dozen agencies across Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, Musgrove's body was finally located at 11:35 p.m. on Sunday, April 3 in an area near the Potato River Falls, NBC News reported.

Musgrove's autopsy report revealed that she suffered traumatic injuries and died within minutes after the fall. According to the sheriff's office, Musgrove reportedly veered off the observation area at the 90-foot waterfall trying to get closer to the river.

“While walking along the edge of the embankment, it appears that the ground beneath her collapsed, bringing her down the bank along with clay and rocks,” Sheriff Paul Samardick said.

Potato River Falls is reportedly considered an easy route that takes less than 30 minutes to complete.

“She was recognized by her peers as a great surgeon, an outstanding mentor, and an incredibly kind and positive spirit. Our thoughts and condolences are with her friends and family during this difficult time,” UW Health press secretary Emily Kumlien said.