BYU student's body found in Utah canyon; authorities believe she fell

The body of a Brigham Young University student missing for more than a week was found in a canyon Sunday, authorities said, and investigators were trying to determine how she fell to her death.

The body of Camille Cleverley, 22, was found at the base of a 200-foot cliff east of Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon, said Utah County Sheriff James O. Tracy.

Cleverley's father, Joel, identified her at the scene, Tracy said, and it appeared that she had been dead for several days. The Utah medical examiner's office took the body from the canyon Sunday evening.

The woman's body had injuries consistent with a fall, but it was too early to rule out foul play, Provo police Capt. Cliff Argyle said.

"How she ended up there, we're not sure," Argyle said.

Her backpack and drink bottles were found with the body, Tracy said.

Authorities had been searching mountain trails and the Provo River for Cleverley, believing she may have parked her bike and hiked one of the many trails leading into the Wasatch Mountains. A bicycle believed to be hers was stolen from a bike rack near the popular hiking spot last Sunday and turned over to police.

Search and rescue crews and hundreds of volunteers then focused on areas around the 607-foot waterfall. Searchers spotted the body Sunday afternoon, and Rice said the clothing matched the description Cleverley's family had given investigators.

"The family was always determined to find Camille," said Robert Grossman, a spokesman for the Cleverleys. "They had never wavered in their determination. There was never an iota or hint of giving up."

Cleverley, of Boise, Idaho, was scheduled to start her senior year on Sept. 4.

"We're glad there will be some closure for the family but saddened by the circumstances," BYU President Cecil Samuelson said.

On campus, hundreds of students and others who had voluteered in the search gathered at BYU's baseball field for a memorial service. Cleverley's family thanked everybody who had helped in the search.

"She was a great sister and I'm really sad that she's gone," said David Cleverley, Camille's brother.

The day after she disappeared, her debit card was used to buy doughnuts and fruit drinks at a Provo store, but investigators had no other clues to go on until the bike was found.

Police also gave her boyfriend a lie-detector test, which he volunteered to take and passed, although an FBI regional supervisor was to review the polygraph results.

Provo, home to BYU, is about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.

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Associated Press writer Doug Alden in Salt Lake City contributed to this story.