Body of missing CdA man found in Salmon River

The body of a Coeur d’Alene man who disappeared on a canoe trip near Riggins, Idaho, was found in the Salmon River on Wednesday night. The Idaho County Sheriff’s Office said the body of Jason Gritten, 35, was located by family and friends searching the river. A second Coeur d’Alene man on the same excursion, Patrick Lusk, 27, remains missing. Gritten’s body was found about 9 miles from where he and Lusk were thought to have crossed the river in the French Creek area. Family members said the pair had planned to canoe across the river and hike to Burgdorf Hot Springs. The men were reported missing May 17. The next day, a citizen reported finding a canoe upside down in the river about a half mile below French Creek the previous evening. The canoe was identified as the one Gritten and Lusk had used. The sheriff’s office found their vehicle and looked for the men by boat and ATV but suspended the search after finding no sign of them. Family members and friends continued the search. Gritten’s body was taken to Blackmer’s Funeral Home in Grangeville. Idaho County Sheriff Doug Giddings offered his condolences to the family and friends of Gritten and Lusk. Giddings also said people recreating on rivers always should wear life jackets.