Kieran Liner, 20, of Austin, died Oct. 27 while climbing the Matterhorn, a peak of 14,962 feet in the Pennine Alps on the Swiss-Italian border. His sister, Precenia Newman, said a rockfall occurred. She said his friend Eli, who was climbing above him, lost sight of Liner and called out but got no response.
Swiss Valais Cantonal Police said the accident happened about 3,500 meters up the mountain. Police are still working to positively identify the body. Newman said the family learned of his death in a phone call from the U.S. consulate in Switzerland.
Newman described her brother as someone who loved life and took up skateboarding as a young child in Pensacola, Florida. After moving to Austin, he began indoor bouldering before moving to outdoor climbing. She said he had climbed several mountains before attempting the Matterhorn. The family is working with authorities to bring him back to the United States. A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover funeral costs and expenses for returning him to the U.S.