Search and rescue teams have recovered a body believed to be 23-year-old Blake Kieckhafer of Omaha, Nebraska, following an extensive multi-day search in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park.

Kieckhafer was reported missing to park rangers on Monday, August 11. He was last seen on Thursday, August 7, at approximately 5:20 p.m., when a rideshare service dropped him off in the Upper Beaver Meadows area of the park.

Search efforts intensified on Wednesday, August 13, near Emerald Lake, identified as a likely area to locate him. The operation included more than 80 personnel, involving Rocky Mountain National Park rangers, Larimer County Search and Rescue Dog Teams, the Arapaho Rescue Patrol, and a contracted helicopter from Trans Aero.

The body was recovered above Emerald Lake and airlifted by helicopter to a designated landing zone within the park before being transferred to the Larimer County Coroner’s Office, which will confirm the identity and release an official statement.

Kieckhafer’s family issued a statement expressing profound grief, remembering Blake as “full of life, laughter, and love—someone who was always joking around.” They described him as the youngest of four children and said their family is shattered by his loss. They are now making arrangements to bring him home to Nebraska for burial.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to assist with Blake’s final journey: Bring Blake Home.

Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding Blake Kieckhafer’s death.