Isaac Lee Turpin: Ex-US Army National Guard fatally slips into Kentucky waterfall while chasing his dog

SOMERSET, KENTUCKY: A 23-year-old man has tragically lost his life after he reportedly "slipped and fell" near a waterfall while chasing his dog at a local national park, as per Kentucky authorities.

According to a news release from the National Park Service, Isaac Lee Turpin, from Somerset, was found dead Friday morning, March 29, by visitors who spotted his body “in the water at Yahoo Falls” in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

What did the authorities say?

In a statement shared by the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff David Sampson said Turpin and his dog were hiking the trailhead when Turpin’s dog broke loose.

"It appears that Mr Turpin and his dog was hiking the Yahoo Falls trail head when his dog had gotten loose from him and he had tried to catch the dog and slipped and fell over the Yahoo Falls," police said.

Yahoo Falls is about 113 feet high, according to the NPS. Deputies who responded to the scene reportedly were “able to move the body from the water” and “confirm the male individual was deceased,” as reported by the sheriff’s office.

When was Isaac Lee Turpin declared dead?

According to the NPS’ release, Turpin “was pronounced dead” at 12.41 pm local time.

His body “was removed from the scene by the McCreary County Coroner's Office and taken to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort "for an autopsy report,” per the sheriff’s office.

Isaac Lee Turpin was a former US National Guard

According to the victim's obituary, Turpin had an associate degree from Morehead State University and became a member of the US Army National Guard in July 2019.

Most recently, Turpin served as a sergeant with the 1123rd Sapper Company and was a mechanic at UGN Automotive of Somerset.

He received numerous military awards, including the National Defense Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Armed Forces Service Medal.

Isaac Lee Turpin's girlfriend Cherish Menkin paid him tribute

Cherish Menkin, Turpin’s girlfriend, paid tribute to her “special” partner in a post on Facebook.

"You healed so much brokenness and replaced it with love I had never experienced," Menkin added according to People Magazine.

"We didn’t deserve this, we were just beginning 💔 keep those arms open, I'll be waiting to be in them again one day. I love you so much Isaac,” she said.

An investigation into the incident is currently ongoing, the authorities have told the outlet.