Hiker reported missing days earlier found dead on South Mountain Tuesday morning

PHOENIX — Phoenix crews located the body of a missing hiker on South Mountain on Tuesday.

Phoenix Police Department officials were seen at the Mormon Trailhead, at the end of 24th Street on the north side of South Mountain, early Tuesday morning.

Video from the scene showed the trail blocked off by police and a helicopter airlifting what appeared to be the victim from a remote part of the mountain.

Phoenix Fire Department officials at the scene told our crews that a hiker was reported missing days earlier, and had been later found dead.

Later on Tuesday, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said the man was in his 70s, but have not named him.

Investigators learned that on Friday, June 12, Phoenix Park Rangers noticed an unoccupied vehicle in the parking lot. The vehicle remained there overnight and was tagged as abandoned the next morning.

Police conducted a records check and learned the vehicle belonged to a Tempe man. Tempe officers were then contacted and went to his address, but he was not there.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned the man frequently hiked in the area. Therefore, MCSO says search and rescue crews began looking for him.

At 2 a.m. on Tuesday, the body of an elderly man was located about one mile up the trail.

Officials say there were no immediate signs of foul play.

The body was turned over to the medical examiner and an official name and cause of death will be released at a later time.

This is one of several recent incidents at South Mountain and other Valley mountains, including a number of mountain rescues.

Earlier this month, a man died after falling up to 40 feet while hiking along Mormon Trail.

Officials urge hiker safety, especially during the hot summer months, and offer reminders that trail closures are put in place during major heat events.

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Hiker reported missing days earlier found dead on South Mountain Tuesday morning

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