American brothers Ryan Cooper and Wesley Waren found the bodies of native mountaineers who went missing 22 years ago in the Peruvian Andes.
According to CNN, the pair of US fellows, who had been descending the mountain in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca after an unsuccessful attempt to reach its 22,000 ft summit, found the body of Bill Stampfl on June 27 on Mount Huascaran.
Cooper told CNN, “Someone loved him and someone wanted him to come home,” Cooper said. “As soon as I found out he was an American climber I knew we had a responsibility to track down the family and give them the news.”
The US State Department confirmed the death of a US citizen in Peru. A department spokesperson said, “We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss and thank the mountaineers and the Peruvian National Police rescue team who have been involved in this operation.”
After so many years, the news came as an emotional shock to Stampfl’s family. Jennifer, the wife of mountaineer told CNN, “My heart just sank. After 22 years I had been okay with the fact that he was there. He’s part of the mountain. Like we’re never going to get him back. The fact that they found him, opened up all the wounds.”
She further added, “There is no preparation for having your husband killed instantaneously,” Janet said, adding that she never thought her husband’s body would be discovered. “It’s an answer to so many prayers by so many people.”
