Man, Grandson Die On Arizona Hike After Boy Runs For Help — He ‘Didn’t Give Up, He Just Gave Out’

Almost halfway through a six-mile hike in southern Arizona on Tuesday, Thomas Gillespie had a medical emergency. His grandson, 12-year-old Robby Miller, ran back for the trailhead to get help, car keys in hand. A little over a mile away, the boy collapsed and died.

On Wednesday, the man and his grandson were found miles apart along the Mormon Battalion, south of Phoenix near the Gila Bend, the Arizona Republic reported. On the day of their trip, temperatures soared to over 100 degrees, and neither had water on them when found.

It’s not known if Thomas, 63 and known to have diabetes and high blood pressure, died of a medical condition or of exposure. Robby died of exposure.

“I know that with each of their last breaths… were doing everything they could for [each other],” Miller’s aunt, Cristen Peters, told ABC 15. “I know that from the bottom of my heart.”

The day began early on Tuesday. The pair stayed at a nearby hotel, and the manager saw both leave about 9 a.m. They had planned to hike the historic trail and take pictures. The Mormon Battalion, part of the U.S. military, marched from Iowa to San Diego during the Mexican-American War. The Arizona man was a reenactor and had made it a lifelong goal to photograph the track’s historic points.

But by Wednesday, he and his grandson hadn’t returned from their hike or gotten in touch with family. Robby’s mom reported the two missing about 4:30 p.m.; she hadn’t heard from either in 24 hours.

Police located their car on the side of the road. Then they found Robby 1.5 miles from the trailhead, and his grandfather four miles further along the trail, Reuters added. Investigators are certain the two hadn’t died due to foul play, but a medical examiner will determine the exact cause of their deaths.

Though neither man nor boy had food, water, or supplies with them, family are certain that Thomas would never have gone on a hike without those items; he was usually well-prepared on such excursions. However, authorities can’t confirm that they were this time.

Gillespie had taken the summer off from teaching science at an alternative high school for teenaged parents, the Associated Press added. His co-workers are stunned and saddened by the man and his grandson’s tragic deaths on what should’ve been a routine, enjoyable summer adventure. The two spent lots of time together.

“My nephew took the keys and ran as fast as he could to get as much help as he could for his grandpa,” said Morgan Monreal, Miller’s aunt.

“(He) didn’t give up, he just gave out,” said another family member.

[Photo Courtesy Twitter]