Examiner rules on Isle Royale deaths of two backpackers

Lake Orion, Mich. — The official cause of death of the two backpackers found deceased in June on Isle Royale was confirmed last week by the Keweenaw County medical examiner.

The deaths of father and son campers John David Baird and Bradley Kenneth Baird, both of Northville, Mich., were ruled a homicide and a suicide, respectively, by Keweenaw County Medical Examiner Dr. Petio Ketov, according to copies of the death certificates obtained from Keweenaw County by Michigan Outdoor News. John Baird, 60, president of insurance company Admitted Carriers, died of homicide and was “stabbed multiple times by his son,” according to his death certificate. The official cause of death was “multiple stab wounds of head, torso and extremities.”

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The death of Bradley Baird, 30, also of Northville and the son of John Baird, was ruled a suicide, according to his death certificate. A self-employed writer, he died of “multiple self-inflicted sharp injuries and stab wounds to the neck and torso.”

According to a June 10 press release posted on Instagram from the National Park Service,  at approximately 4 p.m. on June 8, park rangers at Isle Royale National Park received two separate reports of two persons found deceased at a remote backcountry campground within the park. Published reports identified the campground as South Lake Desor Campground.

Two rangers hiked overnight 11 miles to the campground to assess the situation, confirming two unidentified persons found deceased.

The causes of death were unknown at the time.