Two individuals tragically died at Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah after falling from a viewing area, as reported by local authorities. On April 29, park visitors discovered the bodies below Inspiration Point. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the victims likely crossed over safety railings sometime late on April 28 or early on April 29, but the exact circumstances of the fall remain unknown. The deceased were identified as 45-year-old Matthew Nannen and 58-year-old Bailee Crane, who had been living in a U-Haul rental and were previously permanent residents of Florida. They were traveling through Utah after spending considerable time in Arizona.
The incident has drawn attention amidst other recent tragedies at Bryce Canyon. In June 2024, 78-year-old park ranger Tom Lorig died from injuries sustained while directing visitors during an Astronomy Festival. He fell, hitting his head on a rock, and despite immediate medical attention, he could not be revived. In 2023, another incident involved the death of 64-year-old Arizona teacher Jeanne Roblez Howell, who went missing while hiking and was later found in Campbell Canyon.
Bryce Canyon National Park, located about 140 miles east of St. George, Utah, has seen a pattern of serious incidents, raising concerns about visitor safety. Neither the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office nor the National Park Service provided immediate comments regarding these incidents. The ongoing investigations into these deaths highlight the risks associated with outdoor activities in national parks.
