Woman dead, parents in coma after suspected heat-related incident in Snow Canyon

IVINS, Utah (KUTV) — A 30-year-old woman is sadly dead and her parents are in an artificial coma after first responders found them in Snow Canyon State Park.

First responders found Belyruth Ordóñez’s body Saturday afternoon. Close friends said her parents were still in critical condition at a St. George hospital Monday night.

The incident is still under investigation, but local police said it was a heat-related incident.

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“Nobody expects to lose a close friend,” said Yeraldine Calderon.

Looking at pictures of Ordóñez, it is clear that she loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her friends.

“She was just very friendly, very outgoing,” said friends Calderon and Marlon Olaya. “We’ve known her for more than 10 years. It was unbelievable, very shocking.”

The Orem family was on a trip to the St. George area.

“She loved exploring the world, so it was no surprise that they wandered,” Calderon said.

Police found Dario Ordóñez and his wife, Humbelina Ordóñez, in Snow Canyon, apparently suffering from heat-related injuries. They were taken to the hospital, but their only child did not survive.

Rescue workers found the two and administered first aid. Police said they showed signs of heat exhaustion and were “quickly” taken to a hospital, police said.

The church in Orem did everything they could to help this family and asked for prayers. Belyruth’s extended family lives in Peru and other states in the United States.

“They are an immigrant family and are trying to fend for themselves. They are the only ones living here in Utah. We are the only people they can rely on right now because we live here,” Olaya said. “I’m sure it will be very heartbreaking to hear that their only child is no longer with them.”

Friends and family asked for financial support to cover medical and funeral expenses.

Belyruth will be remembered as a friendly, outgoing woman who worked hard and went to school. Her faith was also very important to her family.

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