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Kelsey Musgrove: Mystery surrounds death of surgeon, 26, whose body was found on hiking trail

Authorities concluded that Musgrove must have gone for a hike along the Potato River Falls and might have met with an accident, resulting in her death

Wisconsin surgeon and hiker Kelsey Musgrove was found dead on a local hiking trail on April 3 near the Potato River Falls which has a steep 90-foot dropoff, just a week after her family last heard from her.

On a hiking trip, Musgrove had told her family that she had reached Potato River Falls in Gurney on March 26, according to the sheriff's office in Iron County. Four days later, on March 30, police in her native Middletown asked the county to search for the 26-year-old cardiothoracic surgery fellow at the University of Wisconsin. In a press release, authorities said they found her car in the parking lot at Potato River Falls and found her body near a 90-foot waterfall.

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The sheriff's office said it does not suspect foul play in relation to her death, but did not yet give a reason. Musgrove loved hiking, and she often posted pictures from her hiking trails on her Facebook and Twitter accounts. Police said that all indications at the scene and information from family and friends led to the conclusion that Musgrove must have gone hiking along the Potato River Falls and did not return to her vehicle. Police also added that they would like to express their sincere condolences to Musgrove's family and will further investigate the case for any more details. 

The unexpected death of the young surgeon has put a hole in the hearts of her loved ones. Her fellow surgeons, her friends, and even the institution where she did her fellowship paid tributes to her.

UW Health, where Musgrove did her fellowship, put out a statement. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague Dr. Kelsey Musgrove," spokesperson Emily Kumlien said. "She was recognized by her peers as a great surgeon, an outstanding mentor, and an incredibly kind and positive spirit. Our thoughts and condolences are with her friends and family during this difficult time," Kumlien added.

Sara Margaret Grossi, a travel companion and close friend of Musgrove, also posted about her on Facebook. "I could always cheer her up no matter how big the problem with pistachio ice cream. I can’t fix this with a few scoops this time, but I can keep loving her even though she’s not here to lie under the stars with me anymore and guess constellations. We’ll meet again one day in those stars and awkwardly wink at one another and laugh," Grossi said. 

In a Twitter post, WVU surgery paid their tribute to Musgrove. "We have been trying to come up with the right words to say about @KelseyA_M, but nothing we can say would do justice to the fierce, loyal, fun-loving, adventurous, caring, and genuine spirit that she embodied. We've lost a beloved daughter. We grieve both for and with her family," the tweet read.