The Nutty Putty Cave, where John Edward Jones spent the last 27 hours of his life, will also be his final resting place.

Officials announced Friday afternoon that the cave will be permanently closed and sealed, and rescue workers will no longer attempt to remove Jones’ body. Though plans have not been finalized on how the cave will be closed, officials say there will be a spot reserved for Jones’ family to erect a memorial for him.

“It will be, as they described it, a sacred place to them,” said Utah County sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon.

Jones became trapped in the cave around 8:45 p.m. Tuesday night. The area he was stuck in was an offshoot from the main path on the north side at the end of the cave. The crevice is not named, mainly because it is too small for most cavers to reach and map.

Josh Jones, John Jones’ younger brother, offered a statement of gratitude to rescue workers. He said he knows some rescuers may feel they have failed the family, but family members know workers did everything they could to free their son and brother.

“We just want to thank the rescue workers,” he said.

As an adventurous family, Josh Jones said, they understand how others may feel they are losing the opportunity to explore the Nutty Putty Cave. John Jones would not want to inhibit adventure, his brother said, but he would want to protect others from the tragedy that could occur in Nutty Putty. This was not an isolated incident, he said, as several others have been trapped in the cave in the past. Now, when the cave is sealed off, it will be safe for others and provide a place to remember Jones.

“It is a place to honor and respect our brother,” Josh Jones said.

John Jones, 26, leaves behind a pregnant wife, Emily, and a young child. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for contributions to be made to the Emily Jones Foundation memorial fund at Wells Fargo, Utah Community Credit Union and Zions Bank. His funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Stansbury Park Stake Center.

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