On Tuesday, officials announced the death of a 20-year-old Utah woman who passed away following a hiking accident in Switzerland where she was serving as a Latter-day Saints missionary.
Annabelle Nielsen had served on the Alpine German-Speaking Mission since July 2019. While on a hike with five other missionaries, Nielsen “tragically slipped” and fell down a “steep incline.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesman Daniel Woodruff shared a statement on the incident. In the statement released Tuesday night, church officials offered condolences to Nielsen’s family and friends.
“We are deeply saddened to share news of the passing of a young missionary serving in Switzerland,” said Woodruff in the statement. “We pray they will feel the peace and comfort of our loving Heavenly Father as they deal with this tragedy and honor her life.”
Family Mourns Daughter After Tragic Hiking Accident
In 2017, Nielsen graduated from Lone Peak High School in Highland, UT. After graduation, she attended Brigham Young University, but left school when she began her mission during the summer of 2019.
Accordingly, Nielsen’s family is reportedly “struggling” to cope with their daughter’s sudden death. The tragic hiking accident shook her loved ones, but they are “keeping the faith,” according to Rodger Lyman. Lyman is serving as the family spokesman and is the first counselor in the Highland Utah Central Stake.
“Annabelle was a sweet, sweet young girl, just a wonderful young woman,” Lyman said to the Deseret News. “We’ve known her almost her whole life. Just fun, fun to be around, very kind and loving, very active.”
Additionally, church officials also stated their concern for the well-being of the rest of the missionaries. The church will be providing support and counseling for those who were with Nielsen at the time of the accident.
“We also pray for the other missionaries who were with Sister Nielsen at the time of the accident. And (we) are working to provide them with the necessary support as they process what happened,” said Woodruff.
[H/T FOX News]
