Woman, 40, found dead in Death Valley National Park

By Ricardo Torres-Cortez

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016 | 2:06 p.m.

Heat may have killed a woman whose body was found at Death Valley National Park over the weekend, according to park service officials.

A search by multiple agencies ended Sunday evening when the Pi-Wei Hung's body was found in a remote area at the southern end of the park near Baker, Calif., park service officials said.

The 40-year-old was found about 5 miles from a road and her vehicle, which may have gotten stuck in loose sand, officials said.

Hung had last been heard from about 1 p.m. the previous day, the park service said. She was driving from Las Vegas to Fort Irwin, Calif.

Authorities were called about 1 p.m. Sunday, officials said. Rescuers, with the help of two helicopters, found Hung's vehicle about 2:30 p.m. Her body was found about 5 p.m.

The temperature that day reached 113 degrees, officials said.

It appears Hung died from heat exposure, which would make hers the second heat-related fatality in the park this summer.

On June 9, park visitors found the body of 60-year-old motorcyclist Reinhard Egger in the same area where Hung died, officials said. Egger died from heat exposure; and the temperature that day reached 118 degrees. His motorcycle was found parked upright and still functional.

Park officials warned about the dangers of Death Valley National Park. Most cellphones don't get reception on most of the park. Officials suggest staying on frequently traveled roads and carrying a good supply of water in vehicles. If a visitor encounters vehicle problems, he or she should wait with it until help arrives.