Authorities have identified the Army sergeant whose body was pulled from a Colorado lake last week after he jumped off an 80-foot cliff while hiking with his friends.
US Army Staff Sgt Matthew Riggs, 31, of Orlando, was boating and swimming in Lake Pueblo with a few friends on July 21.
They later decided to go hiking and came across the 80-foot ledge.
Authorities have identified the Army sergeant whose body was pulled from Lake Pueblo in Colorado last week after he jumped off an 80-foot cliff. US Army Staff Sgt Matthew Riggs (pictured), 31, was boating and swimming with a few friends on July 21
They later decided to go hiking and came across the 80-foot ledge. Two of his friends jumped into the water and were fine. But when it was Riggs’ (pictured) turn, he jumped into Cottonwood Creek Cove and never resurfaced
According to the Orlando Sentinel, two of his friends jumped into the water and were fine.
But when it was Riggs’ turn, he jumped into Cottonwood Creek Cove and never resurfaced.
His friends immediately called 911 and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) then called the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office’s dive team.
That evening divers searched for Riggs in the cove but were forced to call off their search operations when it became too dark and unsafe to dive.
CPW rangers continued to search the cove with side-scan sonar until 12.44am Sunday.
Search efforts resumed early Sunday and a body was recovered around 9am by divers on their first attempt.
His body was found in water about 30-feet deep at the base of the cliff.
‘We offer our condolences to the family of this person,’ said Monique Mullis, manager of Lake Pueblo State Park.
‘And I appreciate the efforts of our rescue team and I thank the Pueblo County Sheriff’s volunteer divers for their hard work at the scene during this operation.’
In a statement, the CPW also said that jumping, diving or swinging from cliffs, ledges or man-made structures at Lake Pueblo is prohibited.
Divers searched for Riggs (pictured) on July 21 but were forced to call off their search operations when it became too dark and unsafe to dive. His body was found a day later
Riggs’ mother, Stephanie Grimes, said her son may have gotten the wind knocked out of him and drowned. Riggs had been stationed at Fort Carson and assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Riggs’ mother said her son joined the Army because he ‘felt strongly about defending his country and protecting our rights’. Pictured is Lake Pueblo State Park when Riggs tragically died
Riggs’ mother, Stephanie Grimes, told the Sentinel that her son may have gotten the wind knocked out of him and drowned.
‘It’s a heartbreaking situation,’ his mother said. ‘I just can’t believe he’s gone. You are not supposed to bury your children. You are supposed to go before they do.’
Riggs had been stationed at Fort Carson and assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, according to the Army.
‘To the family, friends and loved ones of Staff Sgt. Matthew Riggs, we express our heartfelt condolences,’ the brigade wrote in a heartfelt post on Facebook.
The post also said a memorial ceremony will be held in honor of Riggs.
According to the Sentinel, Riggs joined the Army six years ago. He served tours of duty in Kosovo in 2016 and Afghanistan in 2014.
While he was overseas, Riggs served as a squad leader of two teams of eight soldiers.
His accolades include the National Defense Service Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.
Riggs’ mother told the Sentinel that her son joined the Army because he ‘felt strongly about defending his country and protecting our rights’.