Garden of Gods: Kentucky Woman Dies in Wilderness After Falling 100 feet

By Julie Brown Patton

Melissa Riley, a 37-year-old Kentucky woman died after she fell roughly 100 feet near the Table Rock formation at Garden of the Gods in Illinois Wednesday. This wilderness area is located within Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois.

Riley was pronounced dead at the scene by Saline County Coroner Jerry Watson.

She worked at Kroger and was a member of Southland Baptist Temple, according to her obituary.

The Saline County Coroner's Office, the Saline County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Forest Service are investigating the fall, but the sheriff's office notes that "nothing in the incident appears to be suspicious." 

The sheriff's office stated the fall was called in at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.

The U.S. Forest Service, Illinois State Police, Air Evac, the Equality Fire Department, Saline County EMS, the Hardin County Sheriff's Office, and the Hardin County Emergency Management Agency assisted at the scene. 

Garden of the Gods covers more than 3,300 acres of forest in the Illinois counties of Saline, Pope and Hardin. It includes 5.5 miles of interconnecting trails for backpacking and horseback riding. The Observation Trail is of average difficulty, but comes with the warning to trail-goers that the rocks along the trail can become slippery and dangerous when wet, according to the national forest website.

Saline County Sheriff Keith Brown reminded visitors to wear appropriate shoes and clothing and bring water and a fully charged cell phone when exploring the area, reports NBC.

"This is a wilderness area and there is wildlife in the area, that includes snakes," he said in a statement. "It takes awhile for first responders to arrive to that park and even longer to locate someone in the park."

Funeral arrangements are being made with Lindsey Funeral Home in Paducah, reports WPSD.

Melissa Riley
Melissa Riley WPSD
  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo