Missing Australian hiker found dead in Wyoming

William Standish, a 28-year-old Australian hiker, has been found deceased in Wyoming after he lost contact with his family while trekking the Continental Divide Trail. Authorities confirmed his discovery by rescuers on Wednesday morning in the Wigwams, a rugged area of rocky peaks on the western slope of the Teton mountain range.

Investigators believe Standish likely died from a fall. Evidence indicates he may have fallen from a steep ridgeline separating Grand Teton National Park and the Jedediah Smith wilderness. His body was spotted by a helicopter team after they observed an orange backpack below the ridge.

Standish had embarked on a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, a challenging journey stretching approximately 3,100 miles from Canada down through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. He last contacted his family on July 23, providing an update from near Old Faithful on July 19, detailing his planned route through the Tetons and other wilderness areas. The family became concerned after receiving a Garmin check-in without coordinates or a message, followed by a Facebook Messenger video they believe placed him in the Wigwams.

The Teton County Search and Rescue team extended its condolences to Standish's family and friends, also thanking the federal agencies that assisted in the search efforts. The incident occurs amidst a series of recent hiking-related fatalities reported across North America, including deaths in Colorado, Arizona, New Hampshire, and Canada's Banff National Park.

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sends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased