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Evan Tanner cause of Death
Chris Insinna
Officials on Tuesday confirmed that a body found in a remote area of the Imperial County desert was that of former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight titleholder Evan Tanner of Oceanside.
Preliminary reports indicate Tanner, 37, died of heat exposure, said Imperial County Sheriff's Lt. George Moreno. An autopsy to determine the exact cause of death was scheduled for Tuesday.
Tanner had gone to the area about 60 miles northeast of Brawley, in the Clapp Springs area of the Palo Verde mountains, on a solo camping trip Wednesday, authorities said. A helicopter pilot from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma spotted the body on Monday several miles from his campsite, which was located Sunday
The mixed-martial arts fighter drove to the area Wednesday on a dirt bike that he had recently purchased, said John Hayner, Tanner's manager from San Clemente.
That afternoon, Tanner called to say the bike had run out of gas and that he was going to walk. The fighter told the friend he had spotty cell phone service and was surprised he was able to make a call.
When concerned friends did not hear from Tanner again, they reported the fighter missing on Friday, Hayner said. The fighter was camping several miles into the desert and probably didn't realize how far out he was, the agent said.
Temperatures ****ed to 114 degrees that day, authorities said.
Chris Insinna
Officials on Tuesday confirmed that a body found in a remote area of the Imperial County desert was that of former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight titleholder Evan Tanner of Oceanside.
Preliminary reports indicate Tanner, 37, died of heat exposure, said Imperial County Sheriff's Lt. George Moreno. An autopsy to determine the exact cause of death was scheduled for Tuesday.
Tanner had gone to the area about 60 miles northeast of Brawley, in the Clapp Springs area of the Palo Verde mountains, on a solo camping trip Wednesday, authorities said. A helicopter pilot from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma spotted the body on Monday several miles from his campsite, which was located Sunday
The mixed-martial arts fighter drove to the area Wednesday on a dirt bike that he had recently purchased, said John Hayner, Tanner's manager from San Clemente.
That afternoon, Tanner called to say the bike had run out of gas and that he was going to walk. The fighter told the friend he had spotty cell phone service and was surprised he was able to make a call.
When concerned friends did not hear from Tanner again, they reported the fighter missing on Friday, Hayner said. The fighter was camping several miles into the desert and probably didn't realize how far out he was, the agent said.
Temperatures ****ed to 114 degrees that day, authorities said.
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