“An attempt was made to carry out a hoist operation, but due to the extreme location, the two team members abseiling down could not reach Lofgren and Henkel,” the sheriff’s office said.
When rescuers were able to reach the pair on Friday, they found Lofgren dead. Henkel was alive and flying for medical treatment.
“This was a tremendously difficult operation in a very brutal geographic area of Inyo County. I sincerely hope for a cure and recovery for everyone involved,” said Inyo County Sheriff Jeff Hollowell.
Lofgren and Henkel were reported missing on April 6 after failing to return from their camping trip on the due date of April 4. Both Lofgren and Henkel were described as experienced campers, the sheriff’s office said.
“On April 7, the entire Death Valley Highway 190, from Death Valley Junction to Lone Pine, was driven and every monument and attraction along the route was checked. DVPN helped check every site that stood on Lofgren’s backcountry route “, he said.
The couples’ missing Subaru car was found Thursday morning, containing a note directing officials to their location in the Willow Creek area of Death Valley.
According to the sheriff’s office, the note read, “Two flat tires on their way to Mormon Point have three days of water.”
An investigation is underway to determine the cause and manner of Lofgren’s death.
The Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva from Arizona conveyed his condolences on Friday.