MOHAVE COUNTY – Officers identified the body of a man who was found in the Virgin River Gorge over the weekend as 39-year-old Chad Mills of St. George.
Trish Carter, public information officer for Mohave County Sheriff’s Department, said Mills’ wife called St. George police after her husband left their home at 1 a.m. Saturday morning and had not returned after noon that same day. St. George police contacted Mohave County with Mills’ GPS coordinates from his cell phone based on his last phone call.
Mohave County officers discovered Mills’ vehicle north of milepost 20 on Interstate-15. Mills’ keys, cell phone and a 22 rifle were found inside the vehicle. A BLM officer responded to the area and was able to see a body at the bottom of the gorge. Because of dangerous weather, search and rescue was not able to recover the body until Sunday. Carter said an officer stayed in the area overnight so the area was never left unattended.
It took several hours for search and rescue to reach the bottom of the gorge Sunday, in what Carter called “very steep, rugged terrain.”
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Chad, we will miss you. Thanks for you zest for life and unconditional love of all.
Chad, thanks for being a genuine friend. You always made everyone you came in contact with happier and better. We love you and will miss you.
Most of these facts printed here are untrue. This publication was printed before the investigation was even near complete. I believe that a retraction and a re-publication is in order. Thank you.
you will be missed, your heart was as big as the outdoors you loved so much. you will always be in our hearts and minds. not a single person i know that meet you where not changed by you free spirit and humor.
Chad you will be missed by so many people,. you were and are loved by many. You are the person that made all of us at work always feel comfortable and happy. You have the biggest heart of any person I know. You will forever be in our hearts and prayers.Love and Miss you
Really U have to be a jerk and so heartless. Keep your wrong thoughts to yourself and think about his loved ones that are hurting. It is a sad person that can say such hateful things when someone looses their life
So did he jump or fall? Leaving late at night with no climbing gear makes me wonder.
Chad would often go for hikes before the sun came up, has done so for many many years. He must of lost footing.
he did not jump. no way that man would take his own life. ask anyone that knows the man.
just like you said in you post. INVESTIGATED AS.
NO..it says it is being investigated as a suicide…..honestly feel when the investagation is done they will see that it was not… he always left his keys in his vehicle, after having to replace phones lost while hiking/climbing that stayed with his keys….he often left home when still dark to go fo a hike…. we do not know what time of the day he FELL, it could have be light out when it happened, time of death not determined yet…. even if it was dark he may not realized he was so close to the edge or lost his footing.
I would be nice if people, including the press would keep their judgements to themself until after the final report is in and his wife, children, parents, siblings, other family and loved ones have had time to get over the shock of loosing such a great person, followed by time to bury him and greive. We will all miss him and love him forever no matter what the outcome.
We knew you very briefly but you made such a positive influence on my daughter. We send your family our condolences,love,and prayers. You wll be missed
I am absolutly appalled at some of the comments that have been posted!!! Further more, disgusted at the news posts being so inaccurate. The fact you would post these things prior to a complete investigation baffles me! Obviously news will write things to get attention, however, for those who did not personally know chad, to comment (SHUT YOUR MOUTHS). You have no business saying a word! Do you have no heart? Obviously you didnt know him, and have no clue as to his personal life in that he has children whom are old enough to read and base opinion, You HAVENT THE RIGHT to help them form any opinion what so ever, you are ingnorant and need not make further comments!!!!
Chad was an amazing man, and extremely skilled hiker. He was not a professional climber, Had he been climbing he would have had gear. This is an accident and its very unfortunate. We are all devistated and hurt by this. But rest assure those of us blessed so much by knowing him, we know he was a God Fearing man and we will see him again!! God bless you Chad mills!!! And to the family, our thoughts and prayers are with you in this great time of loss!!! You are all loved!
Thank you Crystal and Erin so very well put. I am not good at words but you both did great. Chad we love and miss you.
Erin,
It truly is sad that one immediately jumps to conclusion based on a news article, but all of us who had the pleasure of knowing Chad, know that it was not suicide. And for those who want to jump to conclusions, their lives are sad. Partially because they obviously have no dignity or a care in the world about other peoples feelings, but even more so because they never had the opportunity to meet such a wonderful, amazing person like Chad. We love you and your family, please know that we are here for you if you need anything.
Our prayers and condolences go out to the Mills family. Chad was an amazing person who was full of life and energy and love for others. The students at our school (SVE) loved Mr. Mills as he was a wonderful PE teacher and friend to the children. He and his family will always have a special place in our hearts.
My thought Prayers and love go to the Mills family. Chad was an Awesome person. To his family you didn’t loose him you gained an Angel to take care of you.xo <3