27-year-old Alabama man found dead in ‘extremely difficult’ terrain after BASE jump in Utah

Jonathan Bizilia was known for the “inquisitive spirit and adventurous spirit of discovery” that he developed in his early years

Jonathan Bizilia/Facebook

Jonathan Bizilia

An experienced BASE jumper was found dead near Willard Peak in Utah after failing to report following a planned jump.

On Monday, September 30, the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office shared a press release on Facebook identifying the victim as 27-year-old Jonathan Bizilia of Alabama.

According to the sheriff’s office, the incident occurred on Friday, September 27.

“An individual reported that an experienced base jumper he knew did not provide expected updates after a wingsuit base jump,” the post read. “The Weber County Sheriff’s Office was initially contacted and helicopters were requested to assist in the search.”

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Bizilia’s friend, who was not identified in the social media post, “provided key information regarding potential jump sites and flight routes” that helped authorities find the deceased.

A Department of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter managed to locate Bizilia around 4 p.m. local time, “approximately 1 mile northwest of Willard Peak in extremely rugged terrain,” the news release said.

The DPS helicopter used a hoist for the rescue operation, but “it was confirmed that the person crashed and died.”

The Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office thanked the search and rescue team, the Department of Public Safety’s aviation office, the Weber County Sheriff’s Office and the Weber County Search and Rescue Office for their “invaluable assistance.”

“We express our sincerest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time,” BECSO added.

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In an obituary published on the day of his death, Bizilia was remembered as “a man of many outstanding qualities,” including “a contagious smile, a love of the outdoors, a commitment to excellence in everything he does, and a belief in the potential of his work, to bless and benefit others.”

His “inquisitive spirit and love of adventure” developed when Bizilia was still a child.

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Whether he was “searching for salamanders in Alabama’s streambeds” in his youth or “soaring off Alpine cliffs in Switzerland,” once he entered adulthood, Bizilia was best described as someone who “marched to his own drummer” and was known for his “the path of nonconformity”.

“He was a young man of deep principle, with a keen sense of right and wrong, a devotion to those he loved, and a stubbornness that was both admirable and at times maddening. Tough on the outside and extremely fearless, Jonny was a kind person with a tender heart who was easily moved to tears,” he added in his obituary.

Bizilia is survived by her parents, Kevan and Linda Bizilia, siblings Lindsey Railey (Tate), Mary Jameson (Stephen), Laurie Kirkpatrick (Paul), Michael Bizilia, David Bizilia, Andrew (Brooke), grandfather (AC Levi) and grandmother (Patsy Bizilia) .

His funeral will be Saturday, October 5 at the Church of the Highlands in Alabama.

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