KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. — A Kittitas County Coroner determined the cause of Seattle Deputy Fire Chief Jay Schreckengost's death to be blunt force trauma from two falls.
Schreckengost's body was found on Sunday, more than a week after he went missing in eastern Washington.
A forensic investigation ordered by the coroner revealed Schreckengost sustained multiple injuries including a broken wrist and a broken spine.
Further investigation in the area where Schreckengost was found led investigators to believe Schreckengost fell down a steep hillside or cliff faces more than once, coming to rest where he was eventually found, according to a release from the Kittitas County.
There was snow on the ground when Schreckengost went to scout for elk on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 2, making the nearby terrain slick, according to Kittitas County officials. Schreckengost was found near the bottom of a sharp, broken slope at about 700 feet in elevation, a half-mile from where his pickup was parked.
Officials believe the chief slipped or fell down part of the slope where he could neither climb back up nor get down safely. Another fall brought Schreckengost to the bottom of the slope, causing a fatal spine fracture.
Schreckengost's family and the Seattle Fire Department were notified immediately. His body was transported back to Seattle on Friday by members of the Seattle Fire Department in a fire department vehicle.
“We’re saddened to give news of Chief Schreckengost’s passing to his family and fellow firefighters, and we ask the public and press to respect their privacy as they grieve his loss," said Sheriff Clay Myers. "We also want to thank everyone who participated in or supported this search. It was a tremendous outpouring of resources and effort that produced a vital result: a family knows what happened to their loved one and he can be brought home to them.”
The search for Schreckengost included 60 different agencies and organizations and thousands of hours from professional and trained volunteer searchers.
Schreckengost was described as an experienced hunter and outdoorsman. He was believed to be well-equipped for the trip.
Crews described the surrounding terrain as "steep" and "slippery" in some areas which require help from mountain technical rescue personnel.
"We are incredibly saddened by this news and are all grieving the loss of one of our own," a statement from Seattle Fire read. "Deputy Chief Schreckengost was a husband, father and friend to all, and our hearts are with his family right now who have been at the site every day searching alongside search and rescue, fire and law enforcement agencies."