Adventist Hiker, Joy Cho, Falls to Her Death at Grand Teton National Park
16 August 2023 |
An Adventist woman named Joy Cho from Simi Valley, California, tragically died after falling from the west side of Teewinot mountain in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, according to a recent article in The Guardian. The incident occurred before dawn on Friday, August 11.
The National Park Service confirmed that due to significant injuries from the fall, she was pronounced dead at the site. Her body was transported via a short-haul method (suspended beneath a helicopter) to the coroner’s office in Teton county. Cho’s seven hiking partners were safely flown to a nearby search and rescue point and later returned to their vehicles. A video report about the incident by ABC7 News can be found here.
A friend of Cho’s posted the announcement on Facebook, saying that a “rock ledge gave way that she was holding onto and she fell to her death.” Condolences from friends and family have poured in on social media. Cho apparently worked as a facilitator for the Maker Heals program, promoting health and spirituality with Madison Missions in Victoria, Australia. She was also the Vice-President for Eastward Missions, a youth ministry group in Australia, that posted the following on their Facebook page on August 12:
We mourn the loss of our leader, colleague and friend, Joy Cho. Our hearts are broken. She will be dearly missed. As we mourn, may we re-commit our lives to the God of heaven. With more earnestness than before, may we prepare ourselves and others for heaven, as Joy would wish us to. One day we will see our beloved sister again.
Since Friday, Grand Teton National Park staff have expressed their sympathies to the Chos’ family and friends.