Summer Isle Royale deaths ruled to be murder-suicide

Michigan authorities have confirmed that two people found dead at a remote backcountry campground at Isle Royale National Park earlier this summer died in a murder-suicide.

According to the death certificates released by Keweenaw County officials in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, 60-year-old John Baird was killed by homicide, “stabbed multiple times by his son” in his head, torso and extremities.

The records also confirm that Bradley Baird, 30, died by “multiple self-inflicted sharp injuries and stab wounds to the neck and torso.”

Both men were from Salem Township, Mich., just west of Detroit. They likely died within minutes of sustaining their injuries, according to the medical examiner’s report.

The deaths were first reported to park officials on Sunday afternoon, June 8, on the Lake Superior island off the northeast corner of Minnesota. Rangers hiked to the site and confirmed the deaths the following day. But there have been very few details released about the case until now.

The men were found at the South Lake Desor Campground, along the park’s main Greenstone Ridge Trail. It’s an 11-mile hike from the nearest ranger station.

The national park includes the main island of Isle Royale — which is about 50 miles long and 9 miles wide — as well as dozens of smaller, nearby islands. It’s only accessible by boat or seaplane. The park includes 165 miles of trails and 36 campgrounds. Some of them are along the Lake Superior shore and others are along inland lakes or creeks.