Missing Idaho Hiker Update: Kyle Wimpenny Found Dead After 1,000-Foot Fall

KEY POINTS

The hiker fell approximately 1,000 feet while attempting to summit Kings Peak
A search for the hiker began after he was reported missing by his roommate on Sept. 17
His body was handed over to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner

The search for a missing Idaho hiker came to a tragic end after his body was found Sunday afternoon.

The hiker, identified as 25-year-old Kyle Wimpenny, had gone on a backpacking trip to Kings Peak in Utah. He was reported missing Sept. 17 after he failed to return. The Summit County Sheriff's Office confirmed Sunday that the hiker's body was found by the search and rescue crews after an extensive search.

"Today just before 2:30 p.m., search crews located the body of missing hiker Kyle Wimpenny. It appears Kyle fell approximately 1,000 feet while attempting to summit Kings Peak," the Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post.

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Lt. Andrew Wright with the Summit County Sheriff's Office confirmed the news to KSL-TV saying, "It does appear as he was trying to summit King's Peak. He was on a very narrow pathway on the trail that he was following. It was a ridge, and unfortunately, he fell. They're guessing about a thousand feet down."

The body has since been airlifted to Kamas and handed over to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.

Crews from 10 different agencies began searching for Wimpenny after he was reported missing by his roommate on Sept 17. The same evening, his car was found at the Henry's Fork Trailhead.

On day-3 of the search operation, the Summit County Sheriff's Officer put out a Facebook statement saying, "We truly appreciate all the assistance from Summit County Utah Search and Rescue volunteers and many other agencies and personnel who are working tirelessly to find Kyle. We have received several calls with information that is allowing our search crews to look in specific areas."

On Sunday, the Sheriff's Office offered condolences, saying, "Our heartfelt condolences go to the Wimpenny family and friends. Hug your loved ones often. Thanks to the many agencies and personnel who assisted in the search and recovery of Kyle."

Wimpenny was described by investigators as a hazel-eyed Caucasian male who was 5 feet 8 inches tall with long brown hair, beard and a scar above his right eyebrow.