The body of a Virginia man who went missing in May while hiking in the Andes Mountains in Peru has been found.
Ian Treger, 29, grew up in Effinger, Virginia, 200 miles southwest of the District.
He last made contact with family on May 13 and was reported missing on May 26, according to Virginia’s News-Gazette.
In an update Tuesday to a GoFundMe fundraiser launched to help find Mr. Treger, his mother, Michelle Ludwig, wrote, “It is with profound sadness that we share that Ian’s body has been found in Peru. Our hearts are broken, and we are still absorbing this devastating loss. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the U.S. and Peruvian authorities who worked tirelessly on this search, as well as to the volunteers who gave their time, energy, and compassion in the effort to bring Ian home.”
Ms. Ludwig told The News-Gazette that Mr. Treger told her on May 20 that he planned to hike in Peru’s Choquequirao Archaeological Park but that she thought he could have pivoted to hike on the South American country’s Mount Ausangate.
Mr. Treger was found in a swampy area in Pitumarca by locals and the Peruvian National Police, according to the El Comercio newspaper. Pitumarca is just outside the Ausangate Regional Conservation Area.
“A shepherd who works the fields with his alpacas found my son yesterday,” Ms. Ludwig told the Daily Mail.
Peruvian authorities say he could’ve died accidentally due to the rugged mountainous terrain.
Ms. Ludwig told the Daily Mail that Peruvian authorities ruled out foul play, since his valuables and other belongings were still on his person. But she questions the possibility he died accidentally, saying, “I don’t understand how this could’ve happened. He was a very capable hiker and is used to high-altitude trails.”
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