Alexander Lofgren, a caseworker in the office of Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva and a former U.S. Army combat engineer, was found dead after missing on a camping trip in Death Valley with his girlfriend.
Authorities began a search on Tuesday for Lofgren and his girlfriend, Emily Henkel, after the two, described as experienced campers who often traverse remote areas, did not return from their Sunday trek as expected.
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Friday that authorities had been able to locate Lofgren and Henkel the day before using aerial reconnaissance. They were in a “very remote area of Death Valley National Park,” high on a steep ledge.
A rescue attempt failed on Thursday due to the steep, remote terrain. The authorities were able to pick up Henkel and Lofgren on Friday afternoon; Lofgren, it seems, was found dead while Henkel is hospitalized. An investigation will begin soon to determine the cause of Lofgren’s death.
Inyo County Sheriff Jeff Hollowell said in a statement, “This has been a tremendously difficult operation in a very brutal geographic area of Inyo County, I sincerely hope for a cure and recovery for everyone involved.”
After the pair were reported missing on Tuesday, investigators went through Lofgren’s backcountry itinerary, checking every attraction and tourist site along the way, to no avail.
“Both Lofgren and Henkel have been described as experienced campers,” the sheriff’s office said Thursday while the search was underway. “It is believed that Lofgren has pitchers of water and at least a day of food and camping gear. Lofgren is known for camping in remote areas that are not designated campgrounds. “
Later on Thursday, the couple’s white Subaru was found near a road in the national park, in an area not on their itinerary, with a note inside that read, “ Two flat tires, heading for Mormon Point, have water for three days. . ”
The two were eventually found two miles from that destination, the Arizona Republic reports. It is unclear what exactly happened to the couple.
Lofgren served in the United States Army for four years and worked in the Grijalva District Office, which represents Arizona’s 3rd district. The Arizona Republic reports that Lofgren came on board in 2019 as part of the Wounded Warriors Project, following his service in the US military as a combat engineer, deploying to Afghanistan.
“To know Alex was to know someone who loved life, loved his family, and helped others,” Grijalva said in a statement. statement Friday. “Words cannot begin to describe the emptiness that this immense loss leaves in the hearts of his colleagues and his family.”
“Alex lived a life of service and always put the needs of others first,” Grijalva continued. “After serving our country in Afghanistan, he came home to Arizona to serve veterans here in Southern Arizona as a caseworker at my office. The passion he devoted to his work every day touched countless lives. Regardless of the situation, Alex met those he helped with smiling faces, caring hearts, and unparalleled empathy. “