Skier Found Dead in Vail, Friend Rescued

EAGLE, CO -- The Eagle Co. Sheriff's Department is still investigating the death of a New Jersey man found Tuesday near backcountry trails in East Vail. Samuel Failla, 24, of New Jersey, was not reported missing until Tuesday morning, although companion was rescued Monday night from the backcountry trails. The friend called 911 around 7 p.m. Monday night after falling off the trail and hiking for several hours trying to find his way out, the Eagle Co. Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

The unnamed friend did not tell Eagle Co. Sheriff's deputies he was with another person until Tuesday around 9:30 a.m., saying he assumed Fallia "made it out of the area on his own," a statement from Eagle Co. Coroner Kara Bettis said. Bettis did not indicate the cause of death and said an autopsy was forthcoming.

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Vail Mountain Rescue, Vail Ski Patrol, Eagle County Coroner’s Office and the Vail Public Safety and Communications Center responded to the incident.

The investigation is ongoing, the Eagle Co. Sheriff's Department said.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please call the Eagle County Sheriff's Office at (970) 328-8500 or Eagle County Crime Stoppers at 970-328-7007, 1-800-972-TIPS, submit your tip online at www.tipsubmit.com, or text a tip from your cell phone by texting STOPCRIME plus your message to CRIMES (274637). If your tip leads to the arrest and indictment of any suspect involved, you could earn up to a $1,000 reward from the Crime Stoppers.

Fallia was reportedly from Camden, New Jersey. He was working for the second winter as a Vail snowboard instructor, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his friends. Sam graduated from Chatham High School in 2012 where he was a captain of the Chatham Cougar football team, according to the online fundraising page.

Sam is survived by his parents John and Whitney Failla, sisters, Alexandria and Ellie Failla all of Chatham, the page said.

Image via GoFundMe