Body Found in Search for Missing British Hiker in Italian Alps

Body Found in Search for Missing British Hiker in Italian Alps

British hiker Matthew Hall, aged 33 and from Hull, has been found dead in the Italian Alps after going missing on 9 July. He had been staying at the B and B Ploncher hotel in the town of Chiavenna and had set off on a planned eight-hour solo hike. On the day he disappeared, he sent a photo of the Cross of Daloo, a mountain viewpoint, to friends and later texted that he had taken a wrong turn and was resting. That message helped guide the search area.

Rescue efforts intensified with help from mountain teams, helicopters, drones and local police. On Wednesday evening, a body was discovered in a deep crevice near the area from which he had sent his last message. Due to the challenging location, a helicopter was needed to recover the body. Lieutenant Gim Toni De Masi confirmed the discovery and said Mr Hall's mother had arrived in Italy the same day, with his father expected to join soon.

Matthew Hall was a confident hiker with strong experience in rugged terrain. He had begun his hiking trip on 5 July and was due to fly back to Manchester from Milan on 12 July. His disappearance triggered a large response from family and friends, with more than a dozen travelling to Italy to aid the search. Sam Jackson, a friend who flew out, described Matthew as "amazing" and said they were all in shock but thankful to bring him home.

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Matthew Hall's disappearance prompted a significant outpouring of support from his friends, community, and the people of Chiavenna. Sam Jackson, one of his closest friends, praised the Italian rescue teams and townspeople for their outstanding help. Jackson shared emotional remarks with the BBC, expressing the group's deep gratitude and heartbreak. “We all absolutely loved him. At least we are bringing him home – back to where he should be,” he said.

Matthew was a well-liked man with passions for snowboarding, skateboarding, and following Hull KR, his local rugby league team. He was described by his employer, broadband firm Quickline, as a much-loved and respected team member. The company issued a statement expressing their deep sadness, calling the news devastating and extending thoughts to his family and colleagues during this difficult time.

Search efforts had included three helicopters, police teams, specialist drones, and mountain rescuers. The intensity of the search showed how determined both the authorities and Hall’s friends were in finding him. The terrain was challenging, with steep climbs and crevices, making the rescue operation complex and dangerous. It is believed that the exact location of his fall was in the same region he had sent the text from.

The Foreign Office has confirmed its involvement and is providing support to the family, liaising with Italian authorities. Although the circumstances are deeply tragic, those close to Matthew take comfort in the fact that they are now able to bring him home. His story is a reminder of the unpredictable risks in solo hiking, even for experienced walkers, and highlights the strength of friendship and community in times of loss.

A formal identification and autopsy are expected as the process of repatriation and mourning b