Incident now being investigated by five different agencies
Big Santeetlah – Officials have confirmed that a Huntsville, Ala. woman drowned in Big Santeetlah Creek on Oct. 7, and the death is being investigated as suspicious.
Kathleen Polce Miller, 60, was at a campsite just past Stewart Cabin with her husband. He told authorities he left to use the restroom for about five minutes and when he returned, he found her facedown in the water.
Miller’s husband ran to the main road and flagged down a motorist, who was able to call for emergency services. The Graham County Rescue Squad and Emergency Medical Services responded to the call, but Miller was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Graham County Sheriff’s Office announced later in the week that the death is now being investigated as “suspicious.” The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Forest Service and District Attorney’s office are assisting in the investigation.
Miller was later confirmed to be a forensic photographer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Big Santeetlah Creek is located off the Cherohala Skyway.