On Sunday, April 8, the body of 46-year-old Daniel Downing was found up Petty Creek, near Alberton.

The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office said he was reported missing by his wife, Jennifer. Earlier this month the Bitterroot National Forest had asked for help to find Downing, who had last been seen on Tuesday, April 3 around 7 p.m. He was driving a white 2012 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab pick-up according to a Missoula Police Department flyer.

The Missoula coroner ruled his death as a suicide and there was an outpouring of condolence on Facebook regarding his passing. Downing worked for the Bureau of Land Management and formerly worked for the U.S. Forest Service and coworkers, family and friends described him as “thoughtful,” “caring,” and that he would be missed.

One wrote that “honoring the memory of family and friends lost to suicide is to speak up: To not continue for it (suicide) to feel like a taboo subject; to show people through your words and deeds that there is always someone to talk to, no matter how dark it is, how hopeless it might feel; and that asking for help is not a weakness, but a strength; and do whatever we can to de-stigmatize mental health difficulties.”

According to the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Montana ranks as having one of the highest suicide rates in the nation with 20.5 per 100,000 people.

Daniel leaves behind three children, ages 17, 15 and 6.