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Sheriff's office investigating drowning death at Havasupai

Coconino County Sheriff's deputies and detectives are investigating the death of 22-year-old Flagstaff resident Christopher Phillip Burchett who drowned at Navajo Falls located in the area of Havasupai Village.

Last Wednesday, Burchett was with a church group that was camping in the area of Navajo Falls.

At about 3 p.m., the victim and members of his group were swimming in the area of the falls. According to witnesses, Burchett was diving in the pool of water at the foot of the falls.

Following one of his dives, the victim surfaced briefly, went back under the water and did not resurface.

Two members of his party attempted to rescue Mr. Burchett but were unable to do so.

A member of Burchett's party contacted a local resident, who in turn contacted a Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Officer. BIA officers assisted with the recovery of Burchett's body and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Division transported the victim to the top of the Canyon.

Ground units transported the victim's body to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office in Flagstaff.


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