Word was just released today that well known Grand Canyon residents, Laurent “Maverick” Gaudreau, 82, and Shirley Gaudreau, 73, were found dead yesterday morning at their residence in Grand Canyon Village. The initial reports state that the deaths are being investigated as a murder/suicide. Their bodies were discovered after rangers responded to a 9-1-1 call at about 12:30 am on Thursday morning. The bodies of the couple were identified today by the Coconino County Medical Examiners office.
"Maverick" Gaudreau
Maverick Gaudreau is well known among hiking circles at the Grand Canyon because of his love of the canyon and his almost obsessive need to hike it. He made news in 2006 when he crossed the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim 106 times as a way to celebrate his 80th year. Mavericks’ wife Shirley was also very well known as a member of the Grand Canyon Association and as an employee of the Books & More at the Canyon View Information Plaza. The couple also were contributors to the Grand Canyon News and wrote the blog “Maverick’s Musings/Mentors” for GrandCanyonNews.com.
Very little has been released about the circumstances around the murder/suicide at this point but I will keep you up to date as more information is released.
Tags: Grand Canyon Murder Suicide, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike, Maverick Gaudreau, Shirley Gaudreau
