Life is full of surprises and tragedies can strike even the most deserving individuals. Unfortunately, this is one such incident. On February 10, 2023, Zoe McKinney, a 17-year-old high school senior and cheerleader, went on a hike with her friends. While trekking the Moab Rim Trail, McKinney lost her footing and plummeted around 30 feet.
As per the Moab City Police Department’s statement, McKinney slipped off a sheer cliff face, leaving her friends in distress. Despite their best efforts to reach her, it wasn’t safe to do so. The authorities were immediately informed, and search and rescue teams, along with Fire and EMS, worked tirelessly to reach the spot above McKinney.
Tragically, McKinney lost her life in the fall and was declared dead before arriving at the hospital. It took two hours for Search and Rescue to retrieve her body.
McKinney’s boyfriend, Lloyd Gist, who is also a senior, was not with her at the time of her untimely demise as he was in Salt Lake City. He spoke to NBC News and expressed their deep bond, saying they were inseparable. He fondly remembered her as a kind and helpful person who was always eager to assist anyone who needed it. The couple had been together for almost a year.
One of McKinney’s close friends, Iryss Mason, shared that McKinney had a passion for helping people. McKinney was working towards obtaining her EMT license, according to Mason, who spoke to FOX affiliate KSTU.
The Grand City School District issued a statement in the wake of McKinney’s passing. The district expressed its sorrow for the family’s loss and pledged to assist them in any way possible. The school stated that therapists would be available on Monday to support grieving students. The district remembered McKinney as an exceptional student and promised to honor her legacy throughout the remainder of her senior year.
To assist McKinney’s family in covering funeral expenses, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated. The fundraiser raised a total of $20,838 before being closed.
