On Aug. 25, at approximately 3 a.m., the National Park Service (NPS) Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Rangers got a notice from San Juan County Utah Dispatch. A missing person had fallen overboard from a houseboat on Lake Powell, in Wetherill Canyon. According to an NPS press release, “The person had fallen over 20 feet from an upper level of a privately owned houseboat.”  

Wetherill Canyon is in San Juan County, Utah, about 40 miles from the Glen Canyon Dam.

The official report states, “National Park Service Rangers and San Juan County Sheriff's Office responded. The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation also provided assistance. Classic Air Medical searched the area by helicopter and did not locate the victim. The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Dive Team recovered the victim's body on August 25, 2024, at 12:36 p.m. Utah time. NPS Rangers on scene pronounced the death.”

The victim, Jackson Roy Law, was 41 years-old and resided in Midvale, Utah. Law worked as a Salt Lake City architectural designer for his company House Draft Studio, specializing in designing custom homes for high-end clients. Law was also an artist, played the cello and enjoyed woodworking.

 The incident is still under investigation by the National Park Service, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, and San Juan County Medical Examiner’s Office.

A month earlier, July 26, a 25-foot pontoon boat capsized on Lake Powell at Navajo Canyon. Two 4-year-old males and 72-year-old Melissa Bean lost their lives. Big Water Fire, Kane County Sheriff's Department, Glen Canyon NPS Rangers, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and Page Fire Department responded to the incident.

On July 7, NPS Rangers responded to a carbon monoxide incident on a houseboat in Face Canyon on Lake Powell. According to the press release, “Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Rangers responded immediately and provided medical support on scene. Initial reports were of four patients suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning onboard a houseboat. Upon arrival, a total of 21 patients were identified. Also assisting on scene were personnel from Classic Air Medical, who dispatched three medical helicopters, and Intermountain Life Flight, who dispatched two medical helicopters. A total of five patients (three adults and two juveniles) were flown to the St. George Regional Hospital for further treatment. The remaining 16 patients were treated and released on scene.”