By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — On Monday, DeKalb County Coroner Tom Wilson confirmed the death of 40-year-old Joseph Nicholas Cantrell of Rome, Ga. around 11:15am at DeSoto Falls State Park.

Wilson stated that Cantrell attempted to jump off the cliff into the water, but did not survive the jump. 

DeSoto Falls State Park superintendent Josh Hughes stated that this is the first incident like this at the Park in three years. 

The incident is believed to be an accident. 

The recovery operation was carried out by Alabama State Park Rangers, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, DeSoto Rescue and Fort Payne Rescue.