Tucson rock climber died from bee attack

TUCSON, May 9 (UPI) -- A 55-year-old Tucson man found dead hanging from a cliff in the Santa Rita Mountains died from a huge bee attack, the Santa Cruz County medical examiner said.

The body of Steven Johnson, an experience climber, was found Monday hanging from his equipment on Mount Hopkins, KVOA-TV, Tucson, reported. His body was covered in bee stings, and his dog was found dead at the top of the cliff.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies had searched for Johnson after he didn't show up for work.

"It's devastating news for the Tucson community, for sure, he was a very prolific climber in Tucson," John Mavko, who works at Rocks & Ropes, told the TV station.