The body of an Arizona tourist has been recovered nearly a month after he drowned while jumping from a waterfall in a Canadian national park. Pavlo Shemchuk, 25, was visiting Banff National Park with his cousin and best friend when he jumped from cliffs at Johnston Canyon on May 1. He did not resurface in the water below Lower Falls, prompting a multi-day search.
Search and Recovery Efforts
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) closed the area and searched for the young tourist from May 1 through May 4 before he was officially presumed dead. The search was called off due to dangerous water conditions. Shemchuk's family urged authorities to resume the search, but officials maintained that conditions remained too hazardous. The family then hired a private diver from California, Juan Heredia, to locate the body.
Parks Canada, which operates Banff National Park, closed Johnston Canyon on May 20 until the morning of May 21 to allow the private search to take place, but Heredia was unable to find Shemchuk. On Tuesday, a body was discovered washed up downstream from the waterfalls’ lower pool and reported to the RCMP and Parks Canada around midday, according to a press release from Parks Canada shared with the Calgary Herald.
Identification and Condolences
The area was closed to the public again as police responded and identified the remains as Shemchuk's. His body has been transferred to the RCMP. 'Parks Canada extends its sincere condolences to the individual’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,' the press release stated.
Background of the Victim
Shemchuk’s aunt, Olha Dishchuk, told the Rocky Mountain Outlook that her nephew was originally from Ukraine and had lived in the United States for the past eight years. Despite limited English, he graduated high school with good grades in Philadelphia before pursuing higher education in Arizona. He was studying to become a doctor of physical therapy, she added.
The young man's girlfriend, Nicolette Babbe, said that Shemchuk had jumped from the cliffs once and been fine before climbing to a higher spot and jumping again. After the second plunge, he did not reemerge.
Family's Grief and Fundraiser
On a GoFundMe page organized by Shemchuk's family to cover body recovery expenses, funeral costs, and other financial obligations, the family wrote: 'We are heartbroken to share the tragic loss of our dear Pasha. Pasha was deeply loved by everyone who knew him. He was kind, genuine, and brought light and laughter to the people around him.' The fundraiser has raised approximately $27,000 of its $35,000 goal as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Daily Mail has contacted Parks Canada and the RCMP for comment.
