Gay Actor and Activist Dies On Hike in Australia

An actor and gay activist from Los Angeles, Matt Palazzolo, died earlier this week while hiking in Australia. Palazzolo was a longtime member of the West Hollywood Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board, a member of the Christopher Street West Board and active in community activism. Palazzolo was vocal and dynamic during the Proposition 8 demonstrations in California in 2008.

According to ABC News in Australia, Palazzolo was found over a thousand feet from the trail that took them on a hike through the 10-mile Larapinta Trail on Mount Sonder. The actor and his unnamed partner set out around 8:30am. During the hike, Palazzolo ran off during their return, but apparently took a wrong  turn. When the partner reached authorities, he reported that Palazzolo had gone missing.

Temperatures reached 107 degrees F on that day and warnings had gone out against going on long treks with the danger of dehydration.

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Palazzolo’s social media indicate that he was an avid hiker and had experience exploring the outdoors.

 

10,064 ft. Not another human in sight 🙂 just and

A post shared by Matt Palazzolo (@mattpalazzolo) on

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Saturday adventure hat. #nature #hiking #climbing #mountains

A post shared by Matt Palazzolo (@mattpalazzolo) on

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The investigation on Palazzolo’s death is still under investigation, but authorities do not suspect any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death as it was likely due to heat stroke.

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