Las Vegas Sun

April 26, 2024

Coroner: Couple intoxicated during fatal Yosemite fall

SAN FRANCISCO — A coroner says a young couple from India was intoxicated when they died in a fall from a scenic overlook in Yosemite National Park in California.

Autopsy reports provided Tuesday say 30-year-old Meenakshi Moorthy and her husband, 29-year-old Vishnu Viswanath, each had intoxicating levels of ethyl alcohol, a substance found in most alcoholic drinks.

The coroner in Mariposa County said no drug use was detected.

Park rangers found the bodies in October 800 feet below Taft Point.

Viswanarth's tripod was found on the edge of the overlook. His brother, Jishnu Viswanath, said the couple died attempting to take a photo.