Missing 23-year-old climber found dead in Rocky Mountains - ABC News

Missing 23-year-old climber found dead in Rocky Mountains

Lucas Macaj was last heard from on Sunday.

May 17, 2024, 11:00 AM

The body of 23-year-old Lucas Macaj was recovered in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park on Thursday after he took a "significant fall," according to an initial investigation, the park said.

Search and rescue teams had been looking for Macaj on Mills Glacier since Monday.

His body was flown by helicopter to a landing zone in Rocky Mountain National Park before being transferred to the Boulder County Coroner's Office. Park rangers completed an on-scene investigation.

PHOTO: Rocky Mountain National Park rangers began search efforts for Lucas Macaj, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado May 13, 2024
Rocky Mountain National Park rangers began search efforts for Lucas Macaj, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado May 13, 2024
Rocky Mountain National Park, Facebook

The search for Macaj began when he was reported overdue following an attempt to summit Longs Peak on Sunday. He was last heard from at about 1 p.m. on Sunday when he texted a friend indicating that he was on the summit of Longs Peak.

Macaj's vehicle was found parked at the Longs Peak Trailhead on Monday. The search for Macaj included several agencies as well as air, ground and dog teams.

PHOTO: Rocky Mountain National Park rangers began search efforts for Lucas Macaj, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado May 13, 2024
Rocky Mountain National Park rangers began search efforts for Lucas Macaj, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado May 13, 2024
Rocky Mountain National Park, Facebook
PHOTO: Rocky Mountain National Park rangers began search efforts for Lucas Macaj, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado May 13, 2024
Rocky Mountain National Park rangers began search efforts for Lucas Macaj, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado May 13, 2024
Rocky Mountain National Park, Facebook

There were significant storms moving through the high elevations of the park on Sunday afternoon, according to the National Park Service.

The Boulder County Coroner's office will release the official cause of death.