Phoenix Hiker Found Dead In Deem Hills Recreation Area: Reports

PHOENIX, AZ — A hiker was found dead in north Phoenix just before noon Monday as temperatures approached 105 degrees, according to reports. The man, whose name wasn't immediately released, had been hiking in the Deem Hills Recreation Area. First responders were called to the area of Happy Valley Road and Interstate 17 around 11:40 a.m. Sunday for a report that a man was unresponsive, fire Capt. Rob McDade told the Arizona Republic.

Rescuers found the man dead at the trailhead. Police later identified him as 47-year-old Kevin Lurito. The National Weather Service had issued an excessive heat warning Sunday. An investigation remains ongoing.

Witness Miles Strunk told Fox 10 he was hiking that day when he saw a man lying on the ground.

"I got about 15 minutes in the trail and I look over to my left," Strunk told the station. "I see a man face down in the rocks — I knew at that point it was really bad."

McDade told the station the man who died hiked the trail "often."

"He was alone and did not come back at his expected time," he told the station.

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