SYDNEY, Australia, July 23, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A 19-year-old missionary from West Haven died after slipping and falling from a cliff in Australia, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Monday.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Elder Gavin Paul Zimmerman,” LDS Church spokesman Daniel Woodruff said in a news release. “Elder Zimmerman has been serving in the Australia Sydney Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since August of 2017.”
Zimmerman and a group of missionaries were at a popular sightseeing area Monday when he slipped and fell from a cliff, the news release said.
“Our sincerest condolences and prayers are with Elder Zimmerman’s family and loved ones as they remember his life and mourn his passing,” the news release said. “We pray they will feel the love of our Heavenly Father at this tragic time.”
Raymond and Jeanette Zimmerman, the missionary’s parents, released the following statement: It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we share the news of our son’s passing from this earth to return home to his Heavenly Father. Gavin Paul Zimmerman grew up in Roy and West Haven. He attended Fremont High and participated in both track and football. Gavin was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Australia Sydney Mission. He began his mission on August 16, 2017.
Gavin served in several leadership positions in the mission field. He was a great example to us all, and he loved his mission very much. He enjoyed teaching people and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. He loved the Savior Jesus Christ and his family, and we loved him. Gavin was a bright light in our lives! We are so grateful for our Father in Heaven’s plan of salvation. We know that we will be with him again one day. Our family will miss him greatly until we meet again.
The Church did not release specific details of where the accident took place.
