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Man found dead at South Mountain Park in Phoenix identified

Police say it appears the body had been there for several days before it was found.

PHOENIX — Phoenix fire responded to a call about a dead body found at South Mountain Park Wednesday morning. 

The body of a deceased man was spotted by a hiker while on the Geronimo Trail near 21st Street and Beth Drive around 10 a.m. 

The man has been identified as 35-year-old Douglas Hertel. Hertel's father filed a missing person report on Jan. 11, according to investigators. 

Police say it appears the body had been there for several days before it was found.

Hertel's body was airlifted from the mountain by Phoenix Fire Mountain Rescue and Phoenix Police Department crews.  

Authorities say the incident will remain under investigation until the Medical Examiner's Office determines how the man died.

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