One of Mt. Baldy victims identified as 19-year-old Seal Beach man
- - One of Mt. Baldy victims identified as 19-year-old Seal Beach man
Paris Barraza, USA TODAY January 1, 2026 at 6:29 AM
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(This story was to add new information.)
One of the three hikers who were found dead after an unsuccessful rescue attempt on Mt. Baldy has been identified, officials said on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old resident of Seal Beach, was identified as one of the three male hikers, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Coroner said it’s working to identify the other two hikers.
Authorities said they responded to a request at about 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 29 to locate an injured 19-year-old male hiker near the Devil’s Backbone trail, who’d reportedly fallen approximately 500 feet. During an aerial search, authorities located the injured hiker and two others. However, due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to complete the rescue safely, authorities said.
Severe winds continued to hamper another rescue effort later that evening, during which an air medic confirmed all three hikers were dead. The helicopter was unable to complete the recovery efforts, county officials said.
Is Mt. Baldy still closed?
The Mt. Baldy area of the San Gabriel Mountains is temporarily closed until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, according to the Angeles National Forest.
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Shannon Dicus said the temporary closure is “necessary to prevent additional emergencies and protect lives.”
“The tragic loss of life on Mt. Baldy and repeated rescue responses highlight how dangerous current conditions are, even for experienced hikers,” Dicus said. “Weather and terrain conditions remain extremely dangerous and unpredictable, posing a significant risk to both the public and Search and Rescue personnel.”
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mt. Baldy victim identified as 19-year-old SoCal man
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