Student dies while hiking

Freshman Faith Helbig, 18, slips atop Crabtree Falls

Liberty University freshman Faith Helbig, 18, died tragically Monday, April 8, after she fell at Crabtree Falls in the George Washington National Forest in Nelson County, according to the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office.

Helbig is survived by her mother, Jenny Helbig, half-brother, Sheldon Nest — a Liberty graduate — and brother John Helbig — a college student in New Jersey.

Investigators said that Helbig and five friends, who were also Liberty students, went hiking together on what was one of the first days that the area has seen warmer temperatures.

According to investigators, Helbig crossed a safety barrier and lost her footing, plummeting nearly 200 feet just before 6 p.m.

The official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia states that Crabtree Falls boasts “the highest vertical drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River.” Investigators also claimed that the beautiful scenery can be distracting, and that a clear algae grows on the rocks, making them slippery.

WSET-TV also reported that Helbig’s death is the third one at the falls since 2010, and the 28th recorded death in the area.

Helbig spent her first semester studying at Baptist Bible College, according to her roommate, Liberty junior Audrey Ralon. Despite this being her first semester at Liberty, Helbig’s death was felt across campus.

“The university family grieves with Faith’s loved ones as they walk this difficult valley,” Liberty Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Mark Hine said. “Our prayers and thoughts are with them. We ask that the God of all comfort and encouragement sustain them as only he can.”

Hine also urged students to use extreme caution when hiking the falls in the future.

Students who knew Helbig categorized her as a very likeable person with a large personality.

“Even though it was her first semester here, her roommates were very close with her,” Resident Assistant Janae Stracke said. “Her and her roommate would always banter with each other, and they were so funny and entertaining.”

According to Stracke, Helbig expressed an interest in being a social worker, even though she had been studying education.

“She loved helping people with their problems,” Ralon said. “She was very much an involved person.”

The loss of Helbig leaves a void in the lives of many people who she had made an impact on in her short time at Liberty.

“She was so fun, outgoing and outspoken,” Ralon said. “She always spoke her mind, but she was very caring.”

“She was so spunky and had so much life,” Stracke said. “It’s a blessing to have known her. She was really a joy to have on the hall.

A memorial service for Helbig will be held Tuesday, April 16 in front of DeMoss Hall.