Friends and family are paying tributes to the life of Jonathan Fielding, a beloved 19-year-old who lost his life recently. Fielding died on February 3, 2024, around 4 p.m. while taking photos at the remote Moon Overlook in Utah.
The tragic incident happened at the hard-to-reach point in Wayne County between Caineville and Hanksville. However, despite its secluded nature, Moon Overlook remains popular for hikers and sightseers.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office officially verified the death to KSL, a Salt Lake City NBC News affiliate. According to KSL, Fielding, originally not from Utah, had recently relocated to Orem. He visited the lookout, Moonscape Overlook, because of its rocky terrain, and with two friends to take pictures.
The sheriff’s office revealed that Fielding, known as “Jonny,” approached the cliff’s edge. Then, it gave way and crumbled beneath him. His uncle Russ Mayo described Jonny’s personality to KSL. “He’s got a huge smile; his personality was overwhelming in positivity,” Mayo said.
“He was there exploring with his roommates, taking photos, and just taking in the adventure.” Mayo continued, “He was documenting and did not get too close, and the shell broke away. He was trying to make his way back, and he just lost balance and fell.”
In addition, Mayo said, “It’s a tragedy for his family and those that he loved.” The 19-year-old’s uncle noted that Fielding was indulging in his passion. He said he was capturing photos amidst breathtaking scenery and sharing those moments with friends.
In a heartfelt initiative, friends created a GoFundMe page to cover the funeral expenses, surpassing its $20,000 goal by $6,500. The page sadly shows, “We are sad to announce that Jonathan Fielding has passed away.”
It continued, “He and his friends were hiking in Utah on Saturday, January 27, where he suffered a fatal accident. Jonathan is loved by many and was a great example of selfless love.” Following the incident, Fielding’s sister, Rebecca, shared a heartfelt post on Facebook.
She emphasized the importance of caution while hiking, hoping the incident would remind people to be careful during outdoor activities. “Jonathan thought he was invincible. He was so young, so happy, so full of life. Nothing scared him,” she said.
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“This kind of thing was never supposed to happen to him. It doesn’t feel right being in a world without him, and I’d give anything to trade places with him.” Rebecca continued, “Never trust the ground on the edge of a cliff.”
She emphasized the precarious nature of the locations, describing them as “an eroding ticking time bomb.” Also, former classmates, teachers, and friends expressed condolences and paid their tributes on the Utah Valley Mortuary website.
A friend wrote, “Jonathan taught me that loving life is about so much more than having fun. It’s embracing every day with an open mind and heart and determination to live it to the fullest. Love you, Jonny.” Another friend stated, “He was always smiling, laughing, and embracing others.”
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