An experienced BASE jumper was found dead near Utah’s Willard Peak after failing to check in after his scheduled jump.
On Monday, Sept. 30, the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office shared a press release via Facebook identifying the victim as 27-year-old Jonathan Bizilia from Alabama.
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident happened on Friday, Sept. 27.
“An individual reported that a friend, an experienced base jumper, failed to provide an expected update following a base jump in a wingsuit,” the post said. “The Weber County Sheriff’s Office had initially been contacted, and helicopters were requested to assist with the search.”
Bizilia’s friend, who was not identified in the social media post, “provided crucial information regarding potential jump locations and flight routes” which aided authorities in finding the deceased.
A Department of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter was able to locate Bizilia around 4:00 p.m. local time, “approximately 1 mile northwest of Willard Peak in extremely rugged terrain,” the press release said.
The DPS helicopter used a hoist for the rescue, however, “it was confirmed that the individual had crashed and had passed away.”
The Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office thanked their Search and Rescue team, Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau, Weber County Sheriff’s Office and Weber County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue for their “invaluable assistance.”
“We offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this challenging time,” the BECSO added.
In an obituary shared the day of his death, Bizilia was remembered as “a man of many distinguishing qualities,” including “an infectious smile, a passion for the outdoors, a commitment to excellence in all he did, and a belief in the potential of his work to bless and benefit others.”
His “inquisitive spirit and explorer’s adventurousness” developed when Bizilia was just a child.
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Whether “searching for salamanders in Alabama creek beds” during his younger years, “or gliding from Alpine cliffs in Switzerland” as soon as he crossed over into adulthood, Bizilia was best described as someone who “marched to his own drummer” and was known for his “path of nonconformity.”
“He was a deeply principled young man, with a keen sense of right and wrong, a devotion to those he loved, and a stubbornness that was both admirable and at times, maddening. Tough on the outside and fearless in the extreme, Jonny was a kind, tenderhearted soul who was moved easily to tears,” his obituary added.
Bizilia is survived by parents, Kevan and Linda Bizilia, siblings Lindsey Railey (Tate), Mary Jameson (Stephen), Laurie Kirkpatrick (Paul), Michael Bizilia, David Bizilia, Andrew (Brooke), a grandfather (A.C. Levi) and a grandmother (Patsy Bizilia).
His funeral will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Church of the Highlands in Alabama.
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