Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (July 01/05) - Searchers discovered the body of one of the missing Fort Simpson men in the North Nahanni on Monday afternoon.

David Horesay, 60, was found dead in the dense bush approximately 3.7 kilometres from the cabin where he had been dropped off on June 12. He was shirtless and was in the fetal position.

His body was taken to the Fort Simpson health centre by helicopter.

A preliminary examination indicates that there was no foul play, according to Shepherd. He was exhibiting signs of hypothermia, so it's possible he had been in the frigid river and managed to get out, Shepherd speculated.

Horesay's remains will be sent to Edmonton, where a coroner will perform an autopsy, he added.

The police were planning to return to the North Nahanni on Tuesday afternoon, Shepherd said.

"Originally our theory was that they had both (drowned) in the river," he explained. "Now that that's been proven false we're going back in to assist the search teams."

The bush where Horesay's body was found was extremely thick.

Searchers likely passed by his remains several times before finally detecting his resting place, Shepherd said. "I credit these guys on the ground, the family members and stuff who are up there searching. They've done a hell of a job," he said.

The whereabouts of Fred Hardisty, 61, remained unknown as of press deadline.

Jessie Snider, Hardisty's sister, is losing hope that Fred will be found alive but "I would like to see a body before I believe anyone or anything," she said.

Shirt found

Rod Gunderson, the cabin owner who dropped off Horesay and Hardisty on June 12, joined the search party on June 24. He said a tattered, button-style shirt was found in the bush on Sunday.

The searchers, numbering 20-30, have been patrolling the rivers and shores by canoe. On the ground, they have been fanning out, calling and blowing whistles, Gunderson noted. They have been working from early morning until late at night, he said.