A former WVU Medicine surgery resident who was reported missing last week after going hiking along the Potato River in Gurney, Wis., was found dead over the weekend.
Kelsey A. Musgrove, M.D., 30, graduated from the General Surgery Residency program at WVU just last summer and was serving as a cardiothoracic surgery fellow at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
A press release from the Iron County Sheriff’s Office in Hurley, Wis., said Musgrove was reported missing March 30 after she did not return from a hiking trip. She last reported that she had reached the Potato River Falls in Gurney on March 26.
Deputies located her vehicle in the parking area at the Potato River Falls and said, “All indications at the scene and information from family and friends lead us to believe she had gone hiking along the Potato River and had not returned to her vehicle.”
After an extensive search of the area, Sheriff Paul Samardich said Musgrove’s body was found April 3 in an area near the Potato River Falls.
Samardich said that an investigation into the cause of death is ongoing, but no foul play is expected at this time.
A statement from the WVU School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery on Musgrove’s passing said, “Kelsey was a June 2021 graduate of the West Virginia University General Surgery residency program. Her time with us was marked by great academic and professional success. She was a joy to have in our program.
“Our Surgery family is heartbroken to learn of her passing. Nothing we can say would do justice to the fierce, loyal, fun-loving, adventurous, caring and genuine spirit that she embodied. We’ve lost a beloved friend. We grieve both for and with her family.”
Kindness seems to be the word most friends and colleagues are choosing to describe Musgrove, with many saying she was one of the kindest and most positive people they knew.
“Kelsey was uncommonly kind,” wrote one former co-worker on Musgrove’s Facebook page. “Even after working with her briefly, we kept in touch. She was an incredible role model for women in surgery and always made time to get outside.”
University of Wisconsin Health spokesperson Emily Kumlien said they are saddened by the loss of their colleague. “She was recognized by her peers as a great surgeon, an outstanding mentor and an incredibly kind and positive spirit. Our thoughts and condolences are with her friends and family during this difficult time.”
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