Man dies BASE jumping in ‘extremely rugged terrain’ near Utah peak

BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah (Gray News) - An Alabama man crashed and died while BASE jumping in Utah.

The body of 27-year-old Jonathan Bizilia was found in “extremely rugged terrain” near Willard Peak, according to the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office.

A friend of Bizilia alerted the sheriff’s office at about 2 p.m. on Sept. 27 that the “experienced BASE jumper” hadn’t given them an expected update following a BASE jump with a wingsuit.

The body of 27-year-old Jonathan Bizilia was found on Sept. 27 in “extremely rugged terrain”... — The body of 27-year-old Jonathan Bizilia was found on Sept. 27 in “extremely rugged terrain” near Willard Peak.(Box Elder County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

The sheriff’s office reported they initiated a coordinated effort to find Bizilia, using potential jump spots and flight routes provided by his friend.

About two hours later, a Department of Public Safety helicopter found Bizilia’s body about 1 mile northwest of Willard Peak.

“Tragically, it was confirmed that the individual had crashed and had passed away,” the sheriff’s office said in their Facebook post.

The Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau, Weber County Sheriff’s Office, and Weber County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue all assisted with the search and recovery efforts.

“We offer our deepest condolences to his family and friend during this challenging time,” the sheriff’s office said.

BASE jumping is an extreme sport similar to skydiving, but instead of jumping out of a plane, individuals launch themselves from high locations such as mountain cliffs and bridges. The name itself is an acronym for possible jump spots: building, antenna, span or earth.