Head injuries ruled cause of hiker's death

EVERETT - While failing to make a positive identification, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office yesterday said a man believed to be missing University of Washington research chemist Michael Wessels died accidentally from head injuries.

Wessels, 42, scaled Monte Cristo Peak and then fell during his descent, said rescuers. Wessel's friends found his car Thursday near Barlow Pass in the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. A search-and-rescue team found his body Friday 500 feet from the summit but couldn't retrieve it until Monday.