Ben Brownlee

Found Deceased

San Juan National Forest
San Juan National Forest

About Ben Brownlee's case

According to source,

A hiker who was reported missing Sunday has been found dead after a two-day search in the San Juan Mountains near Lake City, according to the Hisndale County Office of Emergency Management.

Ben Brownlee, 26, of Denver was reported missing Sunday, October 04, 2020 after he failed to return from a solo hiking trip.

Emergency managers said Brownlee, “an experienced and avid hiker,” was last seen by a fellow hiker on Saturday morning, when he was descending Unnamed Peak 13832. His general itinerary was to hike 13,000-foot peaks in the Lake City area of the San Juans.

The search for Brownlee began early Monday morning, when searchers found his car at the trailhead of Redcloud and Sunshine peaks. On Monday, helicopters and crews on the ground searched the area where Brownlee told friends he would be hiking.

On Tuesday, the search continued with more than a dozen search and rescue personnel on foot along with Brownlee’s family and friends. Brownlee was found with the use of a private helicopter chartered by his family, according to emergency managers. Friends spotted and identified his body around 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 06, 2020.

Brownlee was found about 75 to 100 feet below a steep rocky ridge southeast of Cooper Creek Peak. The ridge runs between Cooper Creek Trail and Silver Creek Trail off of County Road 30, southwest of Lake City along the Alpine Loop.

Recovery of Brownlee’s body will begin Wednesday morning, October 07, 2020.

Personal Characteristics

Age / Ethnicity

Gender / Hair / Eyes

Distinguishing Marks

Not Available

Profession / Education

Not Available

Height / Weight

Activity

Not Available

Points of Interest

POIs

Below a Steep-Rocky Ridge, Southeast of Cooper Creek Peak

Body Found

Unnamed Peak 13832

Last Known Location

Investigative Details

Foul Play Suspected: Unknown / Undisclosed
Suicide Suspected: Unknown / Undisclosed
Cause of Death: Undetermined / Unreleased

Significant Dates

Reported Missing: Sunday, October 4, 2020 (4 years ago)
Date Found: Tuesday, October 6, 2020 (4 years ago)

Administrative Details

Monday, January 8, 2024 (4 months ago)

Missing NPF Public Identification Number (MPID) 10014

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