American Sikh Hari Simran Singh Khalsa found dead in Mexican mountains

A 25-year-old American Sikh yoga instructor, who went missing in central Mexico during a hike in the rugged mountains, has been found dead. Hari Simran Singh Khalsa, born and raised in New York, had arrived in the colonial town of Tepoztlan for a yoga retreat with his wife Ad Purkh Kaur and yoga students on December 26.

His body was discovered in one of the ravines in the area around 2 pm on Friday, four days after he went hiking in the rugged mountains that surround the town. The place where the body was found was not far from where Khalsa was last seen in a picture of himself that he sent his wife by cellphone. A search got underway after he went missing but it took the rescuers some time to reach the spot because of the rough terrain.

The cause of death has not been ascertained yet and an autopsy will be conducted, officials said. The US Embassy in Mexico City confirmed the death, saying it was offering consular support to Khalsa's family and extended the American government's condolences, reports said. The couple have been living in Leesburg, Virginia, but were planning to move back to New York.

Khalsa appears to have fallen while hiking and sustained a fatal injury to the head, the family said a statement. "This journey has been a testament to the enormous amount of love and goodness he shared with us all during his time on earth," USA Today reported, citing the statement. Tepoztlan, a popular tourist destination near Mexico City, is known for its mountain peaks and the towering cliffs. Khalsa came to Mexico to attend a yoga and meditation class. He was missed last Tuesday and found dead in Tepozteco Hill alleged after a fall of about 15 meters.