Updated: Carlton man dead from apparent fall while hiking in Wisconsin

A 2010 Carlton High School graduate who was attending Winona State University died this weekend from injuries sustained in an apparently accidental fall.

Jasper Youngren, 18, was found about 9:45 p.m. Sunday, approximately five hours after friends in Winona, Minn., reported him missing, according to Winona Deputy Police Chief Tom Williams.

Youngren, a freshman at the university, had told friends Friday he was going to go hiking on Sugar Loaf Bluff near Winona, but his mother “pinged” his cell phone Sunday, showing his location across the river in Buffalo County, Wis., the Winona Daily News reported.

According to a press release from the Buffalo County Sheriff’s department, once the cell phone information revealed the phone was in the town of Buffalo, a deputy found his vehicle. With assistance from the Winona County Sheriff’s Department K-9 tracking dog and the Fountain City Fire Department, Youngren’s body was found at the base of a large rock cliff.

The incident, which appears accidental, is under investigation by Buffalo County authorities.

Friends in Carlton found it hard to come to grips with the news.

“It shocked me,” said Chester Jones, 20, who’d known Youngren since childhood. “Absolutely shocked me.”

Assistant Principal Becky Connolly said she remembers an outgoing young man who was a willing mentor for younger students at Carlton High School.

“We have 268 students in the school, grades six through 12,” she said. “Students needed help, he’d help them.”

Youngren started classes at Winona State this fall and lived on campus.

“In these first weeks of fall semester, our entire community is beginning a new academic year,” said Connie Gores, vice president for Student Life and Development. “Unfortunately at this time we must also unite to mourn the loss of a valued member, and we ask the entire WSU community to hold Jasper’s family and friends in your thoughts.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Fox 21 News reporter Nick LaFave contributed to this report.

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