CHINO, CA – After 22 years, the family of Bill Stampfl, a Southern California father and mountain climbing enthusiast, received the closure they never expected. Bill, a respected civil engineer from Chino, went missing in 2002 during a climbing expedition on Mount Huascarán in Peru, the country’s highest peak. His family was recently informed that his remains had been discovered by another American hiker, offering them a long-awaited chance to properly lay him to rest.
In June 2002, Bill and two companions faced a deadly avalanche on Mount Huascarán, leading to their disappearance. Despite rigorous search efforts, they were never found, and the case eventually went cold. This left his family grappling with unanswered questions and the pain of not knowing his fate.
The breakthrough came in June 2024 when Ryan Cooper, a hiker from Las Vegas, stumbled upon Bill’s preserved remains in a crevasse, alongside his identification. Cooper and his team, moved by the discovery, took it upon themselves to ensure that Bill’s remains were carefully transported down the mountain.
Bill’s daughter, Jennifer Stampfl, shared her family’s emotional journey from the dread of his absence to the bittersweet relief brought by the news of his discovery. She expressed profound gratitude to Ryan Cooper and his team, whose efforts have allowed them to finally make arrangements for Bill’s return to the U.S. and a dignified burial.
Bill Stampfl was honored both for his adventurous spirit and his deep commitment to his family. A plaque on Mt. Baldy in Southern California stands as a tribute to him and his companions, symbolizing both their adventurous lives and the profound impact of their untimely loss on their loved ones.