August 24, 2011
Updated Aug 24, 2011 at 10:01 AM PDT
The man who plunged to his death off the face of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park on Monday, marking the 15th fatality in the park this year, has been identified.
Ryan Leeder of Los Gatos died Tuesday when park rangers say he fell nearly 4000 feet off the sheer face of the granite monolith at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Because of the late hour, a search and rescue operation was not initiated until Tuesday morning. The 23 year old's body was spotted via helicopter on the slope of the sheer face and rangers were then able hike to the area and remove the body.
Park officials say the incident appears to be accidental, and remains under investigation.
Stay with KSEE 24 News for more on this story as it develops.
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