After several days of search and rescue operations, the body of 21-year-old Mateo Cobo Zevallos, a George Mason University student who had been reported missing on May 9, has been found at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The search operation, which included teams from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management as well as Shenandoah National Park Rangers, was conducted tirelessly for six days before the body was discovered on May 21.
Zevallos was last seen leaving his home in Oakton on May 5 in his 2020 Honda Civic. The abandoned vehicle was found near the Overall Run Falls Trail parking lot on May 16, prompting the search and rescue operations. The body, identified to be that of Zevallos, was discovered in “steep terrain” about 1.6 miles from where his car was found, near several rock outcroppings.
The area where the body was found was closed during the search operations. However, the trails have now been reopened. According to authorities, the remains of Zevallos have been transferred to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for a formal identification and a police inquiry to determine the cause of death.
The disappearance of the George Mason University student had brought concerns from his family and friends, who turned to social media to lobby for help in finding him. The authorities expressed their condolences to the family during a press briefing, and the University provided support services to the family and students affected.
The discovery of the remains has brought closure to the family, who had endured days of anxious waiting for news of their cherished son. The news will also affect the George Mason student community, who have lost one of their own. The University President, Gregory Washington, issued a statement mourning the loss of a young life and sending condolences to the family.
The Shenandoah National Park CEO, Jennifer Flynn, expressed gratitude for the various agencies that contributed to the search effort. She also advised that the park would continue to work to ensure the safety of visitors and urged hikers to review safety practices before embarking on trips to the park.
While the cause of death has yet to be determined, this tragic occurrence serves as a reminder to hikers and other visitors to exercise caution in national parks and to ensure that necessary safety protocols are observed, including traveling in groups, carrying sufficient provisions, and carrying communication devices.
As the community mourns the loss of Mateo Cobo Zevallos, his friends and family have requested privacy during this difficult time.
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