Pennsylvania man found dead after ditching his truck

The body of 58-year-old Malcolm Edward Morrison of West Chester, Penn., was discovered by a hunter under a bridge 10 miles south of Troy on Highway 56, approximately one mile up Camp Creek.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s dispatch was contacted Nov. 7 regarding the body, but were unable to investigate at the time due to fading light. The scene was secured by deputies and an investigation began the following morning, finding no evidence of criminal activity. The U.S. Forest Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks assisted in the investigation.

Morrison’s body was transported to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula for autopsy and a toxicology report is pending. The medical examiner’s preliminary findings indicate that the cause of death was a combination of medical and environmental conditions.

Morrison’s vehicle, a blue and tan 1989 Ford Bronco, was impounded from the area on Nov. 3. Hunters reported seeing the vehicle as early as Oct. 29. The Sheriff’s Office indicated the vehicle was deliberately abandoned approximately five miles from the location at which the body was found. Morrison left a note in the truck which stated the truck had broken down and he was relinquishing interest in it and leaving Lincoln County.

While the official cause of death remains under investigation, prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can cause hypothermia, a dangerous drop in the body’s core temperature. Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Medical conditions such as diabetes and thyroid issues, as well as drug and alcohol use, can increase susceptibility to cold. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an average of 1,332 Americans died from exposure to cold per year between 2006 and 2010.

Morrison’s next of kin have been notified.