St. George • Police are still investigating the death of a woman and injuries to her parents who were found in Snow Canyon State Park on Saturday when search and rescue officers responded to a report of two hikers suffering from heat exhaustion.
Upon receiving a call at 3:30 p.m. about two hikers suffering from heat-related stress, police dispatched search and rescue officers and other first responders from multiple agencies to the scene, the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department stated in a news release.
First responders located Dario Ordóñez, 65, and his wife, Humbelina, 63, and treated them for heat exhaustion before transporting them by ambulance to St. George Regional Hospital. In the process of administering first aid to the Orem couple, officers were notified by a passerby that a woman was lying unconscious a short distance away, according to police officials.
The 30-year-old was dead when police found her. She was identified Monday as the Ordóñezes’ daughter, Belyruth, their only child.
“We don’t believe that there’s any foul play, that most likely the death was due to a heat incident,” said Capt. Rich Rodgers of the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department, which is taking the lead in the investigation.
Rodgers said Belyruth’s parents remain hospitalized, fighting for their lives.
“The mom has been in and out of consciousness, and I don’t think the father has [regained consciousness], according to the latest information given to me,” Rodgers said, adding the family was in the St. George area for a family vacation.
Originally from Peru, the Ordóñezes emigrated to New Jersey before coming to Utah about a decade ago, according to Yeraldine Calderone, Belyruth’s close friend. She said Belyruth served a mission in Texas for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints several years ago and was living with her parents while attending Utah Valley University and working at doTERRA.
“She was a great friend who was very humble and always willing to serve and help others,” Calderone said. “Her dream was to come to Utah, attend school, get married and build a family here.”
Calderone, a Vineyard resident who lives near the Ordóñez family, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise $80,000 to pay for the family’s funeral and medical expenses. Thus far, friends and neighbors have donated nearly $5,500, she said.
Extreme heat has been an issue in southern Utah for much of July. On Friday, 52-year-old Albino Herrera Espinoza and his 23-year-old daughter, Beatriz Herrera, both from Green Bay, Wisconsin, were found dead in Canyonlands National Park after they became lost while hiking Syncline Trail and ran out of water in triple-digit temperatures.
Belyruth’s death in Snow Canyon occurred on the last day of a week-long excessive heat warning the National Weather Service issued for lower Washington County. Temperatures over most of last week topped 110 degrees and reached 106 in Snow Canyon State Park Saturday afternoon.
Devan Chavez, associate director of Utah State Parks, said the possibility of heat-related problems looms large at southern Utah parks during the summer, especially at places like Snow Canyon that don’t have a reservoir where people can cool off.
“People often overestimate their abilities, head out and think, ‘Oh, I’m just going to be gone a short while. I only need one bottle of water’ or ‘I have experience and have hiked a lot,’ " Chavez said. “But even the most experienced hikers can run into problems out there.”
To avoid problems, state park officials advise hikers and other visitors to practice responsible recreation by bringing plenty of water and checking on local weather conditions on park websites or Instagram pages. They also advise visitors to consult with park staff about the heat and the precautionary measures they can take to avoid problems
“It’s important to have a plan before you go in the event you run into trouble,” Chavez added. “We also encourage people to never venture out alone. That way, if you do run into a problem, you have someone with you who can call for help and assist you directly if needed.”
Police used Saturday’s incident to emphasize the importance of staying hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
“Remember your body may still need water even if you don’t feel thirsty,” the Santa Clara-Ivins release stated. “Watch for signs of dehydration, like dizziness or excessive fatigue. Stay safe and well-hydrated.”
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