By Katherine Itoh -
NBC News
A 30-year-old hiker was found dead at the base of a waterfall in Carmel Valley, California, four days after she went on a hike, authorities said.
Caroline Meister's body was discovered Friday morning after rescue personnel
roped down a waterfall
near the Cut Off Trail in the Ventana Wilderness.
Caroline Meister.Monterey County Sheriff's Office
“Based on the physical evidence, we do not believe a crime was committed.
We believe [his death] was accidental,” stated Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto.
Meister left the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center for a solo hike around 10:00 am (local time) on March 18.
She did not return that same day and staff members at the facility contacted the Monterey County Sheriff's Office and determined that Meister
“was not prepared for an overnight excursion
. ”
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Meister's parents have said she was a “very experienced and avid hiker” and “very familiar with the area.”
She was living and working at the Zen Center at the time of her death.
“We are all
deeply sad and shocked
.
The
sanghas
[group of people who follow the teachings of Buddha] of Tassajara, Green Gulch Farm and City Center are coming together to support each other in the wake of this distressing news,” stated the San Francisco Zen Center.
“108 bells ring.
“Our hearts are broken.”