Tragic final words of man who suffered ‘worse death imaginable’ in Nutty Putty Cave revealed

In 2009, a tragic incident in Utah’s Nutty Putty Cave claimed the life of 26-year-old John Edward Jones, a medical student and experienced spelunker. His death, described as one of the “worst imaginable,” remains a haunting reminder of the dangers of cave exploration.

John, along with his brother Josh and three others, ventured into the cave to explore a narrow passage known as the “birth canal.” This tight, twisting section of the cave was only 10 inches wide and 18 inches high, making it an extremely challenging and risky area to navigate.

John attempted to crawl through the passage but became hopelessly stuck in an upside-down position. His chest expanded with each breath, further wedging him into the narrow space.

Josh, realizing the severity of the situation, left his brother to seek help. A rescue team, including Susie Motola, was quickly assembled to attempt a daring rescue. During the ordeal, John remained remarkably composed, telling Motola, “Hi Susie, thanks for coming, but I really, really want to get out.” In a heartbreaking moment, he also said, “I’m going to die right here. I’m not going to come out of here, am I?”

Rescuers worked tirelessly to free John, even setting up a pulley system that nearly succeeded in pulling him out. However, the system failed, causing John to plunge deeper into the crevice. Tragically, he suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead. Due to the extreme difficulty of recovering his body, the decision was made to seal Nutty Putty Cave with John’s remains inside, turning it into a permanent memorial.

John’s death left a profound impact on his family and the community. His wife, Emily Jones Sanchez, was pregnant with their second child at the time of the tragedy. She later remarried Donovan Sanchez and has worked to honor John’s memory. In 2016, a biographical film titled The Last Descentwas released, chronicling John’s life and the events of that fateful day.

Emily shared her thoughts on the film, expressing hope that it would serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing relationships. She said, “We all were afraid that this movie would just be a sad story..

but best-case scenario would be that people come away from this movie remembering what they felt when they first heard about the story, remembering how much they wanted to treasure their loved ones and to put everything they had into their relationships and into making the most of this time that we have together.”

The story of John Edward Jones serves as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with extreme adventures and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

His legacy lives on through his family, the film, and the lessons his story imparts about the value of life and the bonds we share with those we love.