April 10, 2021- 3:30 p.m
One of two missing campers from Tucson who were found on a remote, steep ledge in the Willow Creek area of Death Valley National Park died, officials said Friday afternoon.
Alexander Lofgren, 32, was pronounced dead and Emily Henkel, 27, was hospitalized after the two were removed from the ledge at about noon on Friday, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook.
The couple, who were considered experienced campers, were found after a “lengthy” search throughout the park that started on Tuesday. The rescue was considered “highly technical,” officials said.
“This has been a tremendously difficult operation in a very unforgiving geographic area of Inyo County, I sincerely hope for healing and recovery for all involved,” Inyo County Sheriff Jeff Hollowell said in a statement.
Lofgren worked in the office of U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who represents Arizona’s 3rd District, the office confirmed.
When the couple did not return on the due date of their camping trip, on Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office was notified and started searching on Tuesday, officials said. The two had jugs of water, at least a day’s worth of food and camping gear.
Officials called the couple’s cellphones and checked all hotels in the park and all monuments and attractions along Death Valley Highway 190 from Death Valley Junction to Lone Pine. Lofgren’s backcountry itinerary also included locations that officials checked thoroughly, sometimes twice.
Park officials found the couple’s missing white Subaru off Gold Valley Road, where a note left on the vehicle said, “Two flat tires, headed to Mormon Point, have three days’ worth of water.” Their car broke down on the unmaintained, four-wheel-drive Gold Valley Road in Gold Valley near Smith Mountain, officials said.
“Alex lived a life of service and always put the needs of others first,” Grijalva said on Friday. “The passion he dedicated to his work each day touched countless lives. No matter the situation, Alex met those he helped with a smiling face, a caring heart, and unrivaled empathy.”
Grijalva said Lofgren will “forever be a part of our family, and my heart is with his family, his loving partner Emily, and his colleagues who mourn him today.”
U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema wrote on Twitter that Lofgren was her former intern and “an absolutely stellar young man.”
“He had a heart of gold and worked so hard for Arizona and our country. I’m sending so much love to his family and friends. May he rest in power,” Sinema tweeted.
Henkel worked as a contracted marketing assistant for the Arizona Army National Guard. Additional information was not immediately available, a spokesperson said.Get the Travel newsletter in your inbox.
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The Sheriff’s Office credited Inyo County Search and Rescue, Death Valley National Park, Bureau of Land Management, and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the rescue. The office also credited China Lake Naval Weapons Base, Lemoore Naval Air Station, Army National Guard, and the California Highway Patrol for aerial support.
The Sheriff’s Office credited Inyo County Search and Rescue, Death Valley National Park, Bureau of Land Management, and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the rescue. The office also credited China Lake Naval Weapons Base, Lemoore Naval Air Station, Army National Guard, and the California Highway Patrol for aerial support.
