Naperville man who went missing in S. Dakota died from hypothermia
A 23-year-old Naperville man whose body was found last month in the Black Hills National Forest died of hypothermia, according to Custer County, South Dakota officials.
Custer County Coroner Jim Sanders said dehydration also contributed to the death of Jordan Baznik, who was found dead Aug. 15, more than a week after he disappeared while traveling to Canada with friends for a concert.
"He was free of any drugs and alcohol," Sanders said Sunday.
Baznik went missing Aug. 6 while staying at a hotel in Keystone, South Dakota, near Mount Rushmore.
Sanders, who said inexperience in the wilderness played a part in Baznik's death, believes the Naperville man likely died Aug. 14. He was found at an elevation of 7,000 feet at a time when the area was hit by hail and a rainstorm, he said.
"It's a very remote area where he was located," Sanders added. "The million dollar question is why he was out there in the first place."