(TELLER COUNTY, Colo.) — After an intensive four-day search, the body of Joel Tovar was recovered from the western slope of Pikes Peak on Jan. 2.
Tovar went missing on Sunday, Dec. 29, and authorities were notified that he was possibly suicidal. Deputies with the Teller County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) were able to locate Tovar’s car in the parking lot of Horsethief Falls Trail, a hiking area in Divide, but did not locate him.
Rescue teams with dogs and a helicopter searched for four days before Tovar’s body was discovered on Jan. 2 about 400 feet to the southeast from Horsethief Falls. TCSO said his body was found on the western slope of Pikes Peak, high up on a steep rock formation and tucked back on a ledge.
The fourth day of the search began on the morning of Jan. 2, when TCSO said a team made up of 15 Teller County and El Paso County Search and Rescue personnel, two Teller County Deputies and the Deputy Coroner made their way up to Horsethief Falls. TCSO said teams had to contend with “challenging and changing terrain” before making the final climb up the rock formation to reach the remains.
The team split to the top and bottom of the rock formation, and another team made its way to Tovar’s remains, where the deputy coroner and a detective from TCSO conducted an initial inspection before the remains could be moved.
“Demonstrating a great deal of care and respect, the team at the remains prepared them to be lowered and attached them to the ropes,” TCSO said. “While the top team controlled the ropes, the team with the remains accompanied them and controlled the descent to be captured and controlled by the team at the bottom.”
TCSO said the coroner has assumed the investigation, and asked that the community respects the privacy of Tovar’s family.
“The Teller County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to everyone that participated in the search and to the great many people that offered assistance,” TCSO said. “And we would like to recognize the incredible efforts put forth by the Teller County and El Paso County Search and Rescue Teams to bring closure to this unfortunate incident.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; this service provides 24/7 confidential support for anyone in crisis or emotional distress.
