Tragic Fall Claims Life of Student, 23, During Easter Hike with Sister
A 23-year-old college student has died in a devastating fall while hiking with his sister at Sleeping Giant State Park in Connecticut, leaving his family and friends in mourning.
Horror on the Unmarked Trail
On Monday, April 6, 2026, William Cooper Gatch was exploring an unmarked trail within the popular Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, Connecticut, accompanied by his sister Whitley. According to official reports, the outing took a tragic turn when William suddenly fell from the trail.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) received an emergency call at approximately 11:45 am that day regarding a hiker who had fallen. Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the state park.
A DEEP spokesperson stated: "Emergency response resources were sent to the State Park and located a 23-year-old male who sustained injuries as a result of this fall. The hiker was found in the woods and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries at the scene."
Investigation and Official Response
DEEP Environmental Conservation Police are leading the investigation into this heartbreaking incident. As part of standard protocol, they are collaborating with the State’s Attorney’s Office in New Haven and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which will determine the precise cause and manner of death.
Preliminary findings indicate that the fatality was accidental. The DEEP has extended its condolences to the family and pledged to provide further information as it becomes available. The identity of the deceased was not formally released by authorities at the time, though family and friends have identified him publicly.
The department also expressed gratitude to the Hamden Police Department, Hamden Fire Department, and EMS services from American Medical Response for their assistance during the emergency response.
Remembering William Cooper Gatch
Lifelong friends have flooded social media with tributes, painting a picture of a kind and selfless young man. One friend shared: "He didn't have a bad bone in his body. He didn't know how to not help others. That was his love language. He would stop anything he was doing to be a help to you or a stranger."
Another added: "He was a consistent presence, always the same. He had a way about him that you always knew he was there." A third simply said: "He was a joy to know."
About Sleeping Giant State Park
Sleeping Giant State Park, located in Hamden, Connecticut, just 20 minutes north of New Haven, spans 1,439 acres and is renowned for its sweeping views, well-trodden hiking trails, and popular fishing spots. While the specific purpose of the siblings' hike remains unclear, it is noted that Whitley studies nearby at Yale University.
William Gatch is survived by his parents, Jason and Delena Gatch, his sister Whitley, and his grandmother, Janice Cowart. The community continues to rally around the family in the wake of this sudden and tragic loss.
