Richard Jacobson, 21, was found dead around 700 feet below the Flat Iron Trail, sheriff’s office spokesperson Lauren Reimer told CNN by email.
A friend who was camping with Jacobson called 911 around 12:45 a.m. to report that Jacobson had gone to the edge of the trail “to take a photo and slipped,” the statement said.
A helicopter with the Arizona Department of Public Safety helped find and recover Jacobson’s body, the sheriff’s office said. The park is about 40 miles from Phoenix.
“The only thing I can remember is kind of like my ears starting to ring,” Blanco said. “Denial. Just like not being able to believe it.”
Jacobson was involved in mission work in Utah and Washington, Blanco said.