A mother who was reported missing while hiking in Arizona has sadly been found deceased, with her death appearing to be heat related.
Jessica Christine Lindstrom, 34, from Oregon, went hiking at around 08:30AM local time on Friday, and concerns were raised when she hadn't returned a few hours later.
As reported by the Associated Press, the Phoenix Fire Department officially declared Lindstrom missing after police confirmed that she was last seen hiking in the Deem Hills Recreation Area near 51st Drive and Deem Hills Parkway.
Rescue teams went looking for the missing 34-year-old with the aid of drones, and after five hours of searching, her body was discovered on a remote trail.
Investigators have concluded that her death is not suspicious, and it appears that she succumbed to the heat while hiking - though an official cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Her father told KTVK/KPHO that Lindstrom was in the area for her son's christening, and having previously lived in Arizona, she was familiar with the routes that she was hiking.
A GoFundMe page has since been set up for the 34-year-old's family, and it further details the heartbreak being experienced by her loved ones.
Angela Adams, Lindstrom's mother, penned: "Our family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from our family, friends, strangers, and hundreds throughout our community who showed up to help us in every way.
"To those first responders who answered the call, spending the entire day organizing the search efforts, we can’t thank you enough. To the hundreds who dropped everything to brave the heat and help us search for Jessica, we cannot thank you enough.
"We have been so overcome with the selfless service, the love, and the prayers that you have shown. We wish that we could thank each of your personally as you continue to reach out to our family, but please know that right now that is just not possible. We do feel all the love and prayers, and they continue to sustain us as we travel this new path."
The fundraising page states that the money raised will go towards funeral arrangements and providing financial support for Lindstrom's husband and children. At the time of writing, over $37,000 has been raised from a target of $50,000.
According to the AP, July was the hottest month on record for Phoenix as temperatures soared to an average temperature of 102.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Phoenix Fire Department has stressed the importance of taking the heat seriously and to make safety precautions if venturing out on a hike.
The New York Times reported that at least seven people have lost their lives in heat-related incidents in the Southwest this summer, with a particular focus on national and state parks.
Our thoughts are with Lindstrom's family at this time.
