Editor's note: This updates with the body of the missing hiker found.

A hiker reported missing in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska was found dead Sunday, killed in an apparent fall, park officials said.

Searchers found the body of 24-year-old Michael Purdy, of Portland, Oregon, near the north end of the Savage River Loop Trail, a park release said.

"Clues indicate that Purdy had diverted from the riverside trail to do some scrambling on higher terrain when he fell and suffered a fatal head injury," the release added.

Purdy had failed to show up for work on Friday, and on Saturday his boss contacted park officials to report him missing. Purdy had told his boss he intended to do multiple day hikes in the national park during the days prior to starting his second season of summer employment at Denali ATV Tours in Healy, Alaska.

Park rangers located Purdy’s vehicle at the Savage East parking lot at Mile 15 of the Park Road. Based on sightings by rangers and other staff, the vehicle had potentially been parked at that location since Tuesday, April 26. The vehicle contained what appeared to be Purdy’s overnight backpacking gear, along with some food and supplies. Friends, family, and co-workers described Purdy as an adventurous and experienced backcountry hiker familiar with the park, and who has generally maintained consistent communications when travelling. Purdy’s last known cell phone calls were made to his employer on Tuesday.

"Based on Purdy’s most recent cell phone conversations and sightings of his vehicle at the Savage East parking lot, it is assumed that the fatal accident occurred on Tuesday," the park release said.

Rangers performed a hasty search from the Savage River Trailhead on Saturday evening. On Sunday morning, an aerial search for Purdy got under way, focusing efforts on the Savage River, Mt. Margaret, and Healy Ridge.