On August 11, 2015, at approximately 4:23 p.m., the Pima County Sheriff’s Department received a 9-1-1 call about 21-year-old Hunter Douglas Miller, who had gone missing after jumping into a natural pool at Tanque Verde Falls. Deputies and the Search and Rescue Unit responded to the area.
They found two young men in their early twenties, who reported they had come to Tanque Verde Falls near Redington Pass shortly after 4:00 p.m. to swim. Together with a third friend, they went to an area known as Turkey Shoot or The Shaft. Once there, they decided to jump from a cliff into the water of the creek below. The water was running swiftly down the cascading falls. When Mr. Miller jumped in, he submerged into the swirling creek, but never resurfaced.
Volunteers with the Southern Arizona Rescue Association (SARA) were activated and a search effort began. The department’s helicopter, Sheriff 1, also responded to assist. The search by deputies, volunteers and the helicopter continued until it had to be halted due to severe weather. Strong thunderstorms had moved into the Redington Pass area and endangered the deployed rescue personnel.
As daylight was fading as well, the decision was made to resume search efforts in the morning. Redington Pass was shut down to all traffic due to the severe weather conditions. At approximately 10:57 p.m., a resident in the 12200 block of East Barbary Coast Road called 9-1-1. The homeowner had gone outside to check his property for possible flood damage, when he discovered the body of Mr. Miller.