A 66-year-old Spartanburg man, who died in an apparent hunting accident Monday, marks the state’s first fatal fall from a deer stand in at least four years.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Captain Steve Simpson said Tuesday an investigation is underway following the death of Douglas E. Parton of Valley Street in Spartanburg.

Parton was hunting Monday afternoon when a family member received a message from his phone around 6:12 p.m., according to Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger, whose agency is also investigating Parton’s death. After Parton failed to return home, a family member searched for him and found him dead near Cowpens Clifton Road and Shady Acres Road.

Clevenger said it appears the victim fell from a tree stand that was approximately 32-feet high. Parton was pronounced dead at 10 p.m. Monday.

A forensic autopsy completed Tuesday found…