MONTVILLE — A dayslong search for two missing hikers at Pyramid Mountain ended in tragedy Tuesday after rescuers located one person alive and the other deceased deep within the preserve.

The investigation began late Monday night when a Morris County Sheriff’s Office officer discovered an unattended vehicle in the Pyramid Mountain parking lot around 10:14 p.m. After hours of searching in deteriorating weather, the overnight effort was suspended at 4 a.m.

Authorities later identified the vehicle’s owners as John Higgins, 77, and Virginia Taetzch, both of Pompton Plains. The pair had set out for a hike around 1 p.m. Sunday and never returned.

More than 30 first responders from multiple agencies resumed the search at 9 a.m. Tuesday, combing rugged terrain and dense forest. At approximately 11:40 a.m., crews located Higgins alive inside the park. He was transported to Morristown Medical Center for treatment. His condition has not yet been released.

Search teams continued their efforts and later located Taetzch, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials have not disclosed details about what led to the emergency or how the hikers became separated. The incident remains under investigation.

Morris County Prosecutor