An assistant to U.S. Representative Raul M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., Was found dead in Death Valley National Park on Friday, days after he and his girlfriend were reported missing at a campground.
Rescuers from the sheriff of the Inyo County district reached PDT near Willow Creek in the vast desert near the California-Nevada border around 11:40 a.m., according to the agency.
They were spotted on Thursday afternoon by ‘air reconnaissance’ in ‘a very remote area’ and ‘on a very steep edge’, the sheriff said. According to authorities, rescue workers who “ripped off” the list due to the extreme location could not reach the couple.
“It is unclear at this stage in what condition Lofgren and Henkel were” on Thursday, the sheriff said.
Earlier in the day, the couple’s white Subaru was found and a note was found in the vehicle: “Two flat tires, which are on their way to Mormon Point, have three days’ worth of water.” According to the sheriff, this note was an important tip in the search for efforts.
By the time rescue workers arrived on Friday, Lofgren was dead and Henkel had been flown to Lemoore Naval Air Station with medical treatment. An investigation into Lofgren’s “cause and manner of death” continues, according to the sheriff.
“This has been a very difficult operation in a very unforgiving geographical area of Inyo County. I sincerely hope for healing and recovery for all involved,” Inyo County Sheriff Jeff Hollowell said in a statement.
Rescuers have been searching for Lofgren and Henkel since Tuesday after they did not return from their camp trip on Sunday, officials said.
According to the legislature in southern Arizona, Lofgren was a veteran who served in Afghanistan and worked in the district office of Grijalvas.
“Words cannot begin to describe how sad I am about the death of Alex Lofgren,” Grijalvas said in a statement.
“Alex will be a part of our family forever, and my heart goes out to his family, his loving friend Emily and his colleagues who are mourning him today.”
Daytime temperatures were all week in Death Valley in the high 90s.
“Both Lofgren and Henkel are described as experienced campers,” the sheriff said during the search.
“It is believed that Lofgren has jugs of water and at least one day’s of food as well as camping equipment. Lofgren is known for camping in remote areas that are not campsites.”
