Missing Minnesota hiker Grant Gardner found dead in Wyoming mountains

A Minnesota walker was despatched to his spouse virtually a month after he had despatched a final SMS and was now not heard, the authorities stated on Thursday.

The physique of Grant Gardner, 38, was discovered beneath a ledge close to the highest of the 13,000 -foot cloud Peak by knowledgeable climbing staff from North Carolina, stated the Massive Horn County Sheriff’s Workplace in an announcement.

“Though it’s not the result we’ve hoped for, we’re hopeful that it will supply a lot wanted peace and closure of the household,” stated the Sheriff workplace.

Gardner was lacking on July 29 within the Cloud Peak Wilderness, the place he had deliberate a three-day stroll by way of the Misty Moon Lake space earlier than he lastly brushed the cloud peak.

Lacking man from Florida who ran away on the fashionable vacationer vacation spot in New England, discovered lifeless

Grant Gardner, 38, was final heard from July 29 after he had summarized the 13,000 toes Cloud Peak within the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. His physique was found on August 26. (Massive Horn County Sheriff’s Workplace)

Phone information confirmed that Gardner’s final recognized contact on that day was a message to his spouse, “let her know that he had reached the highest,” stated the Sheriff’s workplace. Authorities stated the textual content indicated: “The climb was extra annoying than it anticipated and he was drained.”

Within the weeks that adopted, the Sheriff’s workplace, search and rescue groups and volunteers tirelessly combing the wilderness for indicators of Gardner with out success.

Search and rescue groups searched the cloud peak wilderness for indicators of Gardner with out success within the weeks after his disappearance on July 29, 2025. (Massive Horn County Sheriff’s Workplace)

See also  Minnesota officials label murder 'political' as questions remain about suspect's politics

On Tuesday, the skilled climbing staff Cloud Peak had listed and began to descend on the northern route of the height once they made a camp at nice heights and “a slight reflection of some hundred toes above them remarked beneath a ledge,” stated the Sheriff’s workplace.

The climbers believed it was a backpack and reported the Sheriff workplace by way of satellite tv for pc. They agreed to postpone their plans and to attend till saviors arrive.

When the rescuers arrived in daylight, they discovered Gardner’s stays on the backpack, stated the Sheriff workplace, including that his clothes “very intently” corresponded to the location the place he was climbing and was laborious to note.

Tragedy is placing within the fashionable nationwide park, whereas Klimmer meets a lethal finish on the mountain

Gardner’s physique was discovered from the mountain and was introduced residence together with his household.

Gardner’s spouse beforehand advised an area information exit that her husband favored to go solo walks. (Massive Horn County Sheriff’s Workplace)

The 38-year-old is a father of two youngsters aged 13 and 11, Cowboy State Daily reported. His spouse, Lauren, beforehand advised The Outlet that her husband had been strolling for greater than ten years and favored to go solo.

“It’s all completely surreal,” she advised the outlet as a result of the search was nonetheless ongoing. “And I’m in shock, I believe and attempt to keep sturdy for the youngsters. This has by no means occurred in all these years that he has gone out. He is aware of what he’s doing and has the talents. I simply hope now.”

The Sheriff workplace famous that the case was given to the workplace of the Massive Horn County Coroner to find out time, manner and the reason for loss of life, as is a routine.

“Nothing needs to be learn on this transition,” stated the Sheriff workplace. “We consider that Gardner is shattered on a tragic accident as all of us suspected.”

The Sheriff workplace additionally thanked the skilled climbing staff for his or her assist and stated they had been in the precise place on the proper time.

Click on right here to get the Fox Information app

“Particular due to a spectacular skilled group of technical climbers who had been precisely in the precise place, on the proper time, with the precise gentle, to note a small piece of material on a platoon that in any other case not detectable, for the selfless breaking of their plans and dealing with SAR groups to seek out Gardner,” stated it.

Greg Norman ‘Greg Norman has contributed to this report.