An experienced hiker likely fell to his death in Northern California days after he vanished during an excursion in the Trinity Alps mountain range, according to authorities.
Daniel Komins, 34, was found dead Sunday, the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted to Facebook.
A preliminary investigation revealed Komins — also an emergency medical technician — likely fell in the steep and rocky terrain, the sheriff’s office said.
Komins started his hike near the Canyon Creek trail system on Aug. 10, the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement last week.
An area above Mirror LakeCHP - Northern Division Air OperHe contacted his girlfriend, Carli Hollis, from a campsite the next day to let her know he was OK, the Sacramento Bee reported.
But since then, authorities said, there had been no activity on Komins’ phone. He had a GPS device on him, but it wasn’t functioning properly, according to the report.
Hollis contacted the sheriff’s office to report him missing when he didn’t return home Wednesday night.
His car was located that evening near the Trinity County trailhead, but he was nowhere to be found, authorities said.
H-16’s crew located a backpack in very steep terrain above Mirror Lake and a ground search was conducted.CHP - Northern Division Air OperA GoFundMe page launched by Hollis and relative Zacarías Komins in the early stages of the search raised more than $9,000 of its $10,000 goal to support the volunteer search and rescue teams.
“There has been a truly amazing amount of support for finding Dan,” said the latest post, shared on Saturday. “From friends and family who have [expressed] love and support, to donations to this page and from the Trinity County community and search teams. The dollar amount donated is more than what we imagined. We are very thankful for the support.”
Authorities found Komins’ backpack just off the trail Sunday, and then his body nearby, cops said.
Daniel KominsFacebook“Although this was not the outcome that was wanted, the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office as well as family members of Komins, wanted to thank the Search and Rescue members as well as all other volunteers, for assisting in bringing Daniel Komins home,” the sheriff’s office said in its statement.
In the wake of his death, those who knew Komins posted heartfelt tributes on social media.
“It is with great sadness that we have learned of Daniel Komins’s passing,” Chief Ray Stonebarger of the Blue Lake Volunteer Fire Department wrote Sunday. “For all of us that knew Daniel, we were blessed. For those that never had the pleasure, I’m sorry that you didn’t get that opportunity. He really did put a smile on your face. Let’s keep his family and friends tight in our arms and guide them through these coming days.”
