Aussie hiker's final haunting message sent before he was found dead in the US wilderness

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 15:18, 2 August 2026 | Updated: 15:18, 2 August 2026 An Aussie hiker sent an eerie message to his family before he was found dead in a remote mountainous area in the US. Will Standish, 28, from Melbourne, suffered a fatal fall while attempting a thru-hike along the Continental Divide Trail, which traverses five US states from the Mexican border to Canada. It was the avid adventurer's second attempt at the gruelling long-distance route after a foot injury ended his trek early two years ago.  Mr Standish began the trek in June and was in regular contact with his family up until July 19, when he revealed his plans to travel through the Tetons, Gros Ventre Wilderness, the Wind River Range and Divide Basin. Four days later, the family received a Garmin check-in without coordinates or a message and a video via Facebook Messenger that they believe placed him in the Tetons. After no further contact, they reported him missing to authorities last Monday, sparking an extensive search across Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The family's worst fears were confirmed two days later when a helicopter located Mr Standish's body on Wigwams on the west slope of the Tetons in Teton County, Wyoming. 'Evidence suggests that he may have fallen from a steep, high-altitude ridgeline that separates Grand Teton National Park and the Jedediah Smith Wilderness,' Teton County Search and Rescue said in a Facebook post. Melbourne man Will Standish died while attempting a thru-hike through the Continental Divide Trail in the US It's understood the avid adventurer suffered a fatal fall A helicopter located Mr Standish's body on Wigwams on the west slope of the Tetons in Teton County, Wyoming last Wednesday 'TCSAR assembled a helicopter short-haul team and flew to the hiker’s last presumed point. From the air, the team spotted a bright orange backpack and soon found the subject below the ridge south of North Wigwam Peak.' Mr Standish has been described as funny, cheeky, adorable and 'unapologetically himself.' 'He felt deeply, loved genuinely and always, always made people feel seen,' his family told the Age. 'We want to thank the tireless efforts of the search and rescue teams who found him and the authorities who are caring for him until we can bring him home. 'Finally, a note from us to our Will. We love you. We will carry you with us forever. Thank you for filling our lives with a love so deep, so full of colour and warmth.' A fundraiser has been set up to help the family bring Mr Standish's body back to Australia. 'His sudden passing has left his family to navigate a painful loss that no family is ever truly prepared for,' it states. 'His family faces the immense challenge and financial burden of bringing him back home to Australia, including a lot of complex logistical and transportation costs before they can even begin planning his memorial services. His family described Will as funny, cheeky, adorable and 'unapologetically himself.' A fundraiser has been set up to help Will's family bring his body back to Australia 'All funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward bringing Will back home to Australia and giving him the loving farewell he deserves alongside his family and loved ones.' The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consulate assistance to the family. 'We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,' a spokesperson said.