Voice Of Post

Hiker body found, A body found near the top of a Phoenix mountain has been identified as a 23-year-old Seattle man who went missing after going on a weekend hike.

Maricopa County officials said Wednesday that the Medical Examiner's Office used dental records to identify the body as that of Eric Fernandes.

They say the cause and manner of death are pending.

The body was found Tuesday evening in the Echo Canyon area of Camelback Mountain.

Fernandes was last seen Saturday by other hikers, who said he was alone and apparently surprised by the difficulty of the hike.

The search for Fernandes began Sunday after his father reported him missing.

Phoenix Fire Department officials say hikers reported finding the body about 200 feet from the peak in rugged terrain dotted with brush.