AUSTIN, Texas — An Austin man died climbing the Matterhorn, the iconic peak that stands 14,962 feet tall in the Pennine Alps on the Swiss-Italian border.
20-year-old Kieran Liner “had this incredible, beautiful zest for life, and he wanted to live life fully,” said his sister, Precenia Newman.
Newman said Kieran picked up skateboarding as a young child in Pensacola, Florida. When he moved to Austin, he began indoor bouldering at places like Austin Bouldering Project before moving to outdoor climbing.
20-year-old Kieran Liner died while climbing the Matterhorn on the Swiss-Italian border (Photo: Precenia Newman)
“He could not be tamed. He could be stopped. If he had something in mind, he was gonna do it, and he was going to do it 150%,” said Newman.
Newman said Kieran climbed several mountains before attempting the Matterhorn.
“He would always correct people and say, ‘I’m not a mountaineer, I’m an alpinist.'” laughed Newman.
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Kieran documented his trip through the Alps with his friend, Eli, on social media.
20-year-old Kieran Liner (right) died while climbing the Matterhorn on the Swiss-Italian border (Photo: Precenia Newman)
The day before the two began the ascent up the Matterhorn, Kieran called his mom.
“He reached out to our mom and told her, ‘Hey mom, nothing’s going to happen. But if something were to happen, I’d die doing what I love, and I want you to know that.'”
Kieran was supposed to return home today, but the family instead received a phone call from the U.S. consulate in Switzerland. Kieran died on Oct. 27.
“A rockfall happened, is what Eli said,” recounted Newman. “And after that Eli was a little bit above Kieran and he kind of lost sight of Kieran, and he called out for him. He didn’t get a response from him.”
20-year-old Kieran Liner died while climbing the Matterhorn on the Swiss-Italian border (Photo: Precenia Newman)
Swiss Valais Cantonal Police say the accident happened approximately 3,500 meters up the mountain, nearly 11,500 feet. They are still working to positively identify the body.
Newman remembers her brother fondly.
“He went against the grain, so to speak, in a lot of ways,” she said. “Most people were like, ‘Wow, like, you know, he’s different,’ and it was charming, honestly. He was authentically him.”
The family is now working with authorities to bring Kieran back to the States. A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover funeral costs and expenses related to bringing Kieran back to the U.S.