Heartbreaking Last Text Message of Hiker in US Before Dying Released by Wife
- A US hiker who vanished in Wyoming’s Cloud Peak Wilderness was tragically found dead weeks after his disappearance
- Grant Gardner’s final text to his wife revealed he had reached the summit but was more exhausted than expected
- A professional climbing team’s sharp observation led to the heartbreaking discovery, bringing closure to his grieving family
A US man who vanished during a solo hiking expedition in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains was found dead weeks after sending a final, heartbreaking text message to his wife.
Grant Gardner, 38, was reported missing after failing to return from a planned three-day hike in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
The father-of-two had set out on 29 July to explore the Misty Moon Lake area and summit Cloud Peak, the highest point in the Bighorn range at 13,000 feet.
Source: UGC
Concern grew when Gardner did not return home as scheduled. His vehicle was later discovered near the West Ten Sleep trailhead, prompting an official search that began on 1 August. Despite extensive efforts, the search was suspended on 21 August due to a lack of viable leads.
Breakthrough discovery by climbing team
A breakthrough came when a professional climbing team from North Carolina ascended Cloud Peak and noticed a reflection beneath a ledge, which they suspected to be a backpack. The team alerted the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office via satellite, leading to the discovery of Gardner’s remains on 26 August.
In a statement shared on Facebook, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed:
“Grant Gardner’s remains were located near the backpack. Gardner was wearing clothing that very closely matched the terrain he was climbing in. A difficult/dangerous recovery was conducted and Grant Gardner is being brought home to his family.”
The office expressed gratitude to the climbers, stating:
“Special thanks to a spectacular professional group of technical climbers who were in exactly the right spot, at the right moment, with the right light, to notice a small piece of fabric on a pack that was otherwise undetectable, for selflessly aborting their plans and working with SAR Teams to find Gardner, providing closure to his family. While it’s not the outcome we hoped for, we are hopeful this will provide much needed peace and closure to the family.”
Final text message from summit
Authorities revealed that Gardner’s final communication was a text message to his wife, Lauren Gardner, informing her he had reached the summit. The message also noted that the climb had been more exhausting than anticipated and that he was tired.
Sheriff Ken Blackburn has not confirmed the official cause of death but believes Gardner may have suffered a fatal fall.
Wife pays tribute to ‘love of her life’
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Lauren Gardner thanked those who assisted in the search and paid tribute to her husband, writing:
“We are trying to find peace knowing that aside from being with his family, his favorite place to be was in nature. I want to again thank every person who helped look for him. I know how emotionally and physically draining the last 3 weeks have been for everyone. I’m eternally indebted to the kindness of strangers. I know we all wish this ended differently.”
Gardner’s body has since been returned to his family, bringing a tragic end to a search that gripped the local community and beyond.
Source: AFP
Final words from air controller to pilot before plane crash
Legit.ng earlier reported that the final words of the air controller to pilot whose plane crashed into a Philadelphia neighbourhood have been captured on air traffic control audio.
The medical transport jet, carrying a child patient, her mother, and four others, crashed 30 seconds after taking off, killing all on board.
Source: Legit.ng
