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Jennifer Petri: Mother-of-4 dies after falling off 20-feet cliff in Arizona's Coconino National Forest

The area where Jennifer Petri fell was steep and dangerous, making it difficult for rescuers, but they were able to locate her using binoculars
UPDATED MAR 31, 2023
Jennifer Petri, 44, a mom of four and a wife died after she fell 20 feet off a cliff in West Clear Creek (12 News/ Screenshot)
Jennifer Petri, 44, a mom of four and a wife died after she fell 20 feet off a cliff in West Clear Creek (12 News/ Screenshot)

YAVAPAI COUNTY, ARIZONA: A woman's tragic death in the Coconino National Forest in Arizona has left her family and friends devastated. Jennifer Petri, 44, fell off a 20-feet cliff in an area known as "The Bluffs" above West Clear Creek. Her friend, who was with her at the time, dialed 911 to report the fall and said she was "no longer visible."

Yavapai County Sheriff's Office responded to the call and dispatched multiple volunteer resources, fire officials, and an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter to the scene. The area was steep and dangerous, making it difficult for rescuers to search, but they were able to locate Petri using binoculars, it said in a statement. 

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Petri was a mother-of-four and a beloved server at Denny's for 15 years

The DPS Ranger helicopter dropped off a trooper to assess Jennifer's condition, and he determined that she had died. Her body was airlifted out of the canyon. Details of how Petri fell to her death are being investigated by YCSO detectives, the statement added further. 

Petri was a wife, a mother-of-four, and a beloved server at Denny's for 15 years. Friends and family have been left heartbroken by her sudden passing. "She was everyone's friend," said Danae Wolf, who considered Petri a second mother as per 12 News. "She had so much compassion for people and empathy. And it's really something I looked up to." Petri was known for her adventurous spirit and love of the outdoors. She often spent Sundays with her family at the creek.

'She was just a really fun person to be around'

"Jennifer, she's goofy, she's funny and adventurous," said Wolf. "Had the most contagious laugh ever. She loved to hike and be outdoors. She was just a really fun person to be around." The tragedy has left her loved ones struggling to come to terms with their loss. "It was a shock. I don't think anyone wants to believe it," said Wolf. "It was hard to believe."

Wolf has also set up fundraising on GoFundMe to support the family. "Due to sudden and unfortunate events Lloyd, Jeremy, Jered, Tyson, and Ryder have been left to deal with not only the financial hardship of the events but the tragic loss of an amazing partner and mother."  Wolf added on the site, "Jen was hands down one of the sweetest and most down-to-earth souls to have walked this earth. It's an unbelievable loss."

'This gorge is so narrow that in places the stream fills it from wall-to-wall'

The deep, rocky canyon cut by West Clear Creek is home to West Clear Creek Wilderness, one of the most unique Wilderness Areas in the Southwest. "This gorge is so narrow that in places the stream fills it from wall to wall." Lower reaches of the canyon are more accessible and provide excellent places for secluded recreation such as swimming, hiking, trout fishing, and wildlife watching. In addition to the many colorful birds in this area, it is home to some interesting larger creatures such as the black bear, javelina, and mountain lion, the USDA Forest service mentions. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Petri's fall.

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