The body of Lance Walker, a hunter who went missing in Colorado on Halloween, has been recovered by search and rescue teams.
The 42-year-old from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was last seen on the evening of October 30, when he went hunting with a group at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in southern Colorado.
Walker’s companions became concerned when he didn’t return to the campsite that night. The next morning, they used a Garmin satellite device to send an SOS alert to authorities, prompting a massive search operation.
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Walker’s brother, who was part of the hunting party, took it upon himself to search for his sibling.
Tragically, he discovered Walker’s body in a rugged area of the park’s northern section, near Sand Creek in Saguache County.
The recovery effort was complicated by harsh weather conditions, which delayed the use of helicopter support until the following day.
Teams from Alamosa Volunteer Search and Rescue (AVSAR), Saguache County Search and Rescue (SAGSAR), and Chaffee South Search and Rescue worked together to retrieve Walker’s remains on November 1.
“A unified command was created with the National Park Service, AVSAR, and SAGSAR,” one of the rescue teams said in a statement.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss and want to send our condolences to Lance Walker’s family.”
The cause of death remains under investigation, though authorities have called the incident a “tragic accident.”
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Over 20 team members assisted in the recovery efforts, and the National Park Service expressed their gratitude to everyone involved.
As Walker’s family mourns the loss of their loved one, the search and rescue teams are being commended for their dedication in bringing him home.