Skier, 27, Found Dead in Out-Of-Bounds Area at Vermont Resort Hours After Being Reported Missing

“The entire Hunter Point Capital team is devastated by the tragic loss of our colleague and friend Brooks Ralph, who will be dearly missed,” the company said

• A 27-year-old skier was found in a steep, wooded area near Stowe Mountain Resort, according to police

• The skier, identified as Brooks Ralph, was reported missing at around 6:30 p.m. local time and his body was found in a steep, wooded area about five hours later

• Although a cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner, police said their preliminary investigation indicates his death was accidental

A 27-year-old skier was found dead after being reported missing at a Vermont resort.

The body of Brooks Ralph, of Cold Spring, N.Y., was found in a steep, wooded area near Stowe Mountain Resort several hours after he was reported missing on Tuesday night, according to NBC affiliate WPTZ-TV and the Associated Press.

Stowe Mountain Rescue, the Stowe Police Department and the Vermont State Police’s search and rescue team were involved in the search, which began shortly after Ralph was reported missing at approximately 6:30 p.m., per WPTZ.

Ralph’s body was found at about 11:45 p.m., the AP reported.

Although a cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner, police said their preliminary investigation indicates his death was accidental, per WPTV-TV.

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Ralph's colleagues at Hunter Point Capital, where he had worked for close to three years following his graduation from Columbia University in 2019, shared a statement with PEOPLE regarding his death.

“The entire Hunter Point Capital team is devastated by the tragic loss of our colleague and friend Brooks Ralph, who will be dearly missed,” the company said. “We extend our deepest condolences to Brooks’ family and loved ones.”

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A member of the lightweight rowing team in college, Ralph, originally from Canada, regularly pursued athletic endeavors.

According to his LinkedIn page, the investment associate participated in a cycling event last summer over three days, in which he rode 600 km (about 373 miles) from Toronto to Montreal in support of pediatric oncology care at Toronto SickKids and Montreal Children's Hospital.

“This will be my fifth time joining the peloton, a small group of cyclists committed to making a difference in the lives of children battling cancer and those who care for them,” Ralph wrote at the time. “I’m looking forward to reuniting with friends aligned in a shared goal.”

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On Wednesday, Stowe Mountain Rescue spoke out about the “tragic” loss, while also cautioning about the dangers of backcountry skiing.

“As skiers ourselves, we understand the draw to explore the backcountry and we’re devastated at the senseless loss of such a beautiful, adventurous young life,” the rescue group wrote. The only thing we can do here is to try to avoid this happening again.”

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