Man killed in Mount St. Helena parachute jump

Grindle was arrested in 2007 after he and another man jumped off El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, according to news reports.

Neal, an avid sportsman himself, said he told Grindle to consider the dangers of his sport in light of his marriage nine months ago.

"He lived on the edge, but on a work level, he was an amazing person," Neal said. "The integrity, the respect, the precision. All of his work was amazing, second to none."

Pace said he was not aware of Mount St. Helena being a destination for parachutists. "Obviously, we don't have the staffing to go up there. I don't think this was illegal, what he did, anyway," he said.

He said an autopsy was planned.

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @deadlinederek.