Grieving family to hold vigil in son’s memory at Phoenix mountain park

PHOENIX — The family of a young Seattle man, who died while he was hiking Camelback Mountain, will attend a vigil in his memory Thursday evening.

Eric Fernandes, 23, went up the mountain May 31 and was reported missing the next day. His body was found Tuesday after a multiday search in 100-plus-degree heat.

A Phoenix Police spokesman said the vigil will be held at the Echo Canyon Recreation Area at 7 p.m.

Fernandes had been in the Valley with his father, visiting friends. They saw him last at lunch Saturday. Fernandes’ two brothers came to help with the search. Dozens of searchers scoured the mountain for three days.