November 20, 2008 06:52 am
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INDIAN LAKE — State Police said a California man who went missing while hiking in the Adirondacks last month died of natural causes.
A hunter found Fred Gillingham's body in the remote wilderness near Rock River earlier this week, and an autopsy Wednesday confirmed the 72-year-old's identity.
Gillingham was a longtime and well-known seasonal resident of Indian Lake and was reported missing in mid-October after he ventured into the woods for a leisurely hike and never returned.
State Police said dental records confirmed his remains Wednesday.
His autopsy, which was performed at Albany Medical Center by Dr. Michael Sikirika, determined that the avid hiker died of cardiac arrhythmia due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and focal myocardial scarring.
His death was subsequently ruled as being of natural causes.
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