College student dies while rappelling from cliff in Arizona

MESA, Ariz. – An Arizona State University student is dead after she fell while rappelling from a cliff in the Tonto National Forest.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says 21-year-old Katelyn M. Conrad was rappelling in Coon Bluff, a popular recreation area near the Salt River, on Saturday morning when the incident occurred.

Sheriff's Office spokesman Chris Hegstrom says she fell about 125 feet and was unresponsive. Despite life-saving efforts by deputies, Conrad was pronounced dead.

Authorities say Conrad was part of a group of 20 climbers from ASU. They also say Conrad, who was from nearby Gilbert, was the daughter of a Phoenix police lieutenant.

Investigators are looking into the cause but say it appears to be accidental.