Hiker and his dog vanish in ravine after calling his wife for help, Arizona cops say

UPDATE: Rescuers found the missing hiker’s body Wednesday, May 18, the sheriff’s office said. His dog was still by his side and was taken to an animal hospital.

A hiker called his wife to say he was lost. Then he and his dog vanished, Arizona police said.

Donald Hayes, 74, of Prescott Valley was last seen on Mingus Mountain on Friday, May 13, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said. He called his wife that afternoon to tell her that he and his dog, Ranger, were lost.

“Forest Patrol was able to contact Mr. Hayes Friday around 2 p.m. on his cell phone but he stated that he did not want to wait for a rescue and that he was ‘continuing down a ravine,’” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Hayes told Forest Patrol he didn’t know what ravine he was going into, but he thought he was traveling northwest. At the time, he had food and water with him, and he told rescuers he would turn his phone off to preserve its battery.

That was the last communication with Hayes. Deputies tried to track Hayes’ phone, but efforts were unsuccessful.

Several teams of rescuers, search dogs and a helicopter crew have scoured the area looking for Hayes. Officials did not find the missing hiker as of Sunday, May 15. His car, however, was still at the trailhead.

“Mr. Hayes is a white male with salt and pepper hair, green eyes, is 6 feet tall and approximately 156 pounds,” deputies said. “He was last seen wearing nylon beige pants, a gray sweatshirt, white t-shirt, and a white visor. Ranger is a black and white Labrador.”

Mingus Mountain is about 100 miles north of Phoenix.

This story was originally published May 16, 2022 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Hiker and his dog vanish in ravine after calling his wife for help, Arizona cops say."