A Grand Junction, Colo., man died in San Juan County's Owl Canyon on May 9 after a hiker found him alone and complaining of intense stomach pain, according to authorities.

John D. Slay, 72, was about a quarter-mile from his backpack when a hiker found it and began searching for the owner about 7 a.m., according to San Juan County Sheriff Rick Eldredge. The man came across Slay, who had no water and said he had stomach pain. The man shared his water, set him up in a tent to keep him out of the rain and then went for help. He left a walking stick with a note along the trail explaining the situation.

By 1:15 p.m., the man had alerted authorities, who dispatched a helicopter. After flying through the area and not finding Slay, they picked up the man and were able to locate where he had left Slay, Eldredge said. There, they found a group of people who had seen the note on the walking stick and had stopped to help. There were four people in the group; three stayed with Slay while one went for help.

Those who stayed with Slay said he told them he was in a place where he would be happy to die and that he spoke fondly of his wife, son and daughter.

When medics arrived, Slay stopped breathing. They attempted CPR but could not resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead on the scene. His body was flown to a ranger's station, and San Juan County sheriff's deputies took the body to Salt Lake City. The state medical examiner will determine the cause of death.

smcfarland@sltrib.com

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