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DENVER (KDVR) A man’s body was recovered on Wednesday from Rocky Mountain National Park, and rangers said that they believe it to be a man reported missing earlier this week.
The U.S. Forest Service reported that on Wednesday, a body believed to be that of Blake Kieckhafer, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, was recovered above Emerald Lake.
Kieckhafer was reported missing to the park’s rangers on Monday, Aug. 11, by his family. He was last seen in the Upper Beaver Meadows area of the park on Thursday, Aug. 7, at about 5:20 p.m. after he was dropped off by a rideshare service.
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Blake Kieckhafer, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, was reported missing to park rangers by his family on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Courtesy photo provided by the National Park Service)
The investigation into the missing man led to focused search efforts in the Emerald Lake area on Wednesday. The rangers reported that over 80 people were involved in the search and involved the Larimer County Search and Rescue Dog Teams, Arapaho Rescue Patrol and a contracted helicopter with Trans Aero.
Rangers completed an on-scene investigation and recovered the body believed to be Kieckhafer’s via helicopter. His body was flown to a landing zone in Rocky Mountain National Park and transferred to the Larimer County Coroner’s Office, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The body’s identity will be confirmed by the Larimer County Coroner’s Office, as well as any additional information about this case.
