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Elephant Trampling Eyed in U.S. Woman's Thailand Death

<p>The State Department has identified Lily Glidden as the woman who was apparently trampled to death in a nature reserve.</p>

The body of an American woman missing in Thailand for five days was found in a nature reserve, where she was apparently trampled to death by elephants, police said Thursday.

Seventy people had been searching for the victim, who was identified by the State Department as Lily Glidden. She was found Jan. 18 in the Kaeng Krachan National Park.

"Her arms, her wrists and other parts of the body were broken, so we assumed she was trampled by elephants because no humans could have caused such powerful damage to the body," police Col. Woradet Suanklaai told the Associated Press

An autopsy will determine the official cause of death.

"Looking at the pictures she took in her camera, we see a lot of animals, birds, snakes, lizards," Woradet told the AP.

"We assumed she wanted to take pictures of elephants because that's what the Kaeng Krachan National Park is famous for. We believed she wanted to find them and take some photos."

The State Department confirmed the death.

"We offer our condolences to Ms. Glidden's family and loved ones on their loss. We are in contact with the family and are providing all appropriate consular assistance," an official said.

NBC News' Catherine Chomiak contributed to this report.