Thomas Heng, Missing San Rafael Hiker, Found Dead In Sierra Nevada Mountains

The body of a San Rafael man who disappeared while hiking in the Sierra Nevada mountains over the weekend was found Wednesday.

Thomas Heng was last seen Sunday, July 22, near the summit of Mount Langley in Sequoia National Park, reported CBS San Francisco.

Two helicopters as well as search and rescue staff from Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks were dispatched on Tuesday to search for Heng, according to Arcadia Patch.

Heng, 31, was hiking alone when he reached the summit. But according to the Sacramento Bee, earlier in the day he was sighted with two others.

His body was recovered below Old Army Pass in the John Muir Wilderness. Officials have not specified how he died.

Heng was co-leader of a Bay Area hiking group, Anything Active, and spent every weekend in the mountains scaling peaks.

"He was a really great motivator," his friend Christopher Isar told the San Francisco Chronicle. "He's loved, and there's a lot of people who care about him. He was always super positive, and always talked about mountains. He would not stop."