The body of Patrick Higgins was found last Saturday afternoon after an extensive search by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and Patrick’s family and friends. The Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at 2 p.m. that a body, later determined to be Patrick, had been found in the Bannie Mine area near Walker on the outskirts of Prescott.
Patrick went missing on July 12th. He was last seen after four-wheeling with friends when their vehicle became stuck. Patrick reportedly hiked out of the area on his own the following morning and hadn’t been seen since.
A number of Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YSCO) search and rescue units made their way to the area where Patrick was located but decided because of the difficult terrain around the body, coupled with fading daylight, it was not safe to attempt recovery until morning. However, three volunteer members of the Back County Search and Rescue Team remained with Patrick’s body overnight in an act described as “pure kindness.”
The next morning YCSO and a DPS helicopter were able to retrieve the body out of the ravine by using a hoist off the helicopter.
“Our Search and Rescue Teams have unfortunately been very busy this summer, and most people don’t realize that the members are all volunteers” said Sheriff David Rhodes. “Yet even with all the time they have put in over the last few weeks, these compassionate people offered to stay with Mr. Higgins all night. We are all lucky to have such dedicated volunteers and public safety professionals willing to give their time and risk their own safety to make sure Patrick and others are brought home to their families.”