PORT ANGELES — An autopsy for a Silverdale man whose body was discovered at Olympic Hot Springs on Monday has been scheduled for Friday, Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney and ex-officio Coroner Mark Nichols said.
Olympic National Park officials suspect that Bruce Gunderson, 61, died of natural causes.
The autopsy is “simply to confirm manner and cause of death,” Nichols said Wednesday.
Gunderson’s body was found by his traveling companions in one of the pools at the remote hot springs in the Elwha Valley about 2.5 miles from the Boulder Creek Trailhead.
The hot springs are closed until further notice because of health and safety concerns, park officials said.
The autopsy will be performed by Dr. Eric Kiesel, a Tacoma pathologist who contracts with Clallam and other counties.
“He’s quite schooled,” Nichols said.
After the autopsy is concluded, the remains will be released to the family.
Gunderson was last seen Sunday evening by his fellow travelers, who had spent Sunday night at a nearby campground, park spokeswoman Rainey McKenna said Tuesday.
The death was reported at about 10:30 a.m. Monday, after which time the body was removed by park rangers and the connected pools were closed.
Olympic Hot Springs will remain closed until they are determined to be free from contamination.
Boulder Creek Campground near the hot springs remains open.
Olympic Hot Springs are natural, non-maintained hot-water seeps in a wilderness area.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
