29-year-old hiker’s body recovered from ‘swift-moving creek,’ Washington officials say

A hiker has been found dead after he was reported missing by his girlfriend when he didn’t return from his solo day trip to Vesper Peak in Snohomish County, Washington.

Search and rescue teams with the county sheriff’s office began a ground search Saturday night after they received the report, according to a Facebook post. The next morning, the sheriff’s office started using a helicopter to look for the 29-year-old hiker.

The teams spotted a body in a “swift-moving creek” while in the helicopter. Rescuers had to hike to the victim’s location to recover his body from the water.

“Sadly, this is never the outcome rescuers hope for on these missions,” the sheriff’s office said.

The team flew the victim’s body to Taylor’s Landing “where the Snohomish County Medical Examiner took custody of him,” the sheriff’s office said. The medical examiner will confirm the victim’s name and cause of death after he is properly identified.