Big Bend National Park visitor found dead in apparent suicide

A Florence, Texas, man visiting the state’s Big Bend National Park was found dead this week from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Hikers reported seeing the man, at the time heavily injured, at the summit of the park’s Emory Peak at around 4 p.m. local time Wednesday, the National Park Service said in a release Friday.

Using helicopters, a park ranger was able to reach the 7,832-foot summit. The ranger stayed with the body overnight before being evacuated by helicopter. On the ground, the man’s cause of death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

NPS officials said the deceased was 35 and from Florence, but have not released his identity. The body was taken to a funeral home near Big Bend National Park later on Thursday.

“The entire park community is saddened by this loss. Our sympathy goes out to the individual’s family and friends. This was a challenging response for our rangers and partners during one of the park’s busiest times, and I wish to extend my deep gratitude for our amazing team for their professional efforts,” BBNP Superintendent Anjna O’Connor said in a statement.