Autistic Hiker Found Alive 3 Weeks After Disappearing In Desert

As Garfield County authorities prepared to take off in their rescue helicopter on Thursday, there was little hope their mission could be accomplished. Autistic hiker William LaFever had been missing for three weeks, and without any idea what path he may have taken, the chances of success seemed slim. Deputy Ray Gardner told the pilot to stay close to the river, as he knew people with autism are frequently drawn to water. Somehow, the plan worked. Just minutes from giving up and turning around, someone on the helicopter spotted an emaciated figure in the water. It was LaFever, likely just hours away from death.

The twenty-eight-year-old journeyed into the Escalante Desert to try and hitch a ride across the lake to get a money transfer from his father, but shortly after he departed, his food ran out. So, he stuck near the water, tried to stay cool and scavenged for whatever food he could find.

According to The Los Angeles Times, he was actually more excited about seeing other human beings than being given food once he was rescued. Authorities had to tell him to stay quiet for a few minutes so he could eat a granola bar and have some water.

The stretch of the Escalante Desert LaFever was found in is widely considered to be some of the most inhospitable territory on Earth. Wilderness survival classes are regularly held there, though no one typically stays longer than a few days.

Pop Blend’s congratulations go out to the entire LaFever family as they miraculously have William back home.