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Body of missing N.J. hiker found in Washington state

Zach Krull wanted to become a forest ranger. His family expected the worst after he got lost in snow.

The body of missing New Jersey college student Zach Krull was found in Olympia National Park where he was hiking.
The body of missing New Jersey college student Zach Krull was found in Olympia National Park where he was hiking.Read moreThe Krull Family / Facebook

Twelve weeks ago, 20-year-old Zach Krull went for a solo hike in Olympic National Park in Washington State and disappeared.

Krull, of Livingston, N.J., a  freshman at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, had hoped one day to become a forest ranger.

On Monday, his family confirmed a body found in the park by a creek in an area known for hiking was that of Krull, NJ.com reported.

"It is with a combination of immense sorrow and profound relief that we share the news that our beautiful Zach has been found and is at peace. We thank everyone for their incredible support these last twelve weeks; your thoughts and prayers have helped more than you can know," they posted.

A hiker found his body on Saturday.

Family members had reported Krull missing and a search began on April 11 after he didn’t return from the hike. Krull’s empty tent was located by rescuers, who were hampered by bad weather during their search. After they discovered a week-old set of tracks that went through an area hit by an avalanche, searchers scaled back their efforts. It was not known if the tracks were those of Krull, the Peninsula Daily News reported.

“The weather was unseasonably tragic up there,” his father, Stewart Krull told NJ101.5 on April 18. “There were ice slides, snow slides, and avalanches. It didn’t stop snowing from we think the moment Zach went lost sometime Sunday until this past weekend. I don’t think he ever had a chance once the weather decided to do this.”

A memorial service for Krull was held in late April after it became clear the search was likely a recovery mission.

“Rationally, we knew he was gone,” Stewart Krull told the Peninsula Daily News on Monday. “When you finally know for a fact that he’s deceased, when people find him and you know there’s no other answer, it’s devastating.”