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ST. GEORGE — A paraglider who was first reported missing Monday was found dead by Washington County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday morning, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
The paraglider was later identified by officials as 38-year-old Jonathan Grant Thompson, of Hurricane. An investigation into Thompson’s death was ongoing, but Washington County Sheriff’s Lt. David Crouse said foul play had been ruled out.
It was reported Thompson left the Dixie Springs subdivision near Sand Hollow State Park, and those who reported him “overdue” to authorities said they were unable to reach him on his cellphone, according to the sheriff's office.
Volunteers with the Washington County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue and a medical helicopter dispatched to the last known GPS location of Thompson’s phone and located his body.
According to the sheriff’s office, Thompson was well-known through social media as "The King of Random" and thousands of his followers have since shared condolences for his death to his family following the “tragic incident.”
Thompson’s paragliding equipment was recovered by detectives, including a video recording device, according to Crouse. Investigators are reviewing the video to see what caused the aircraft crash, he said.
