UPDATE: The last two hikers found dead on Mt. Baldy have been officially identified, according to a press release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday, January 3. The victims, Juan Sarat Lopez, 37, and Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, 36, were both Guatemalan nationals residing in Los Angeles.
Authorities believe the two men tragically fell while hiking on the Devil’s Backbone Trail and suffered fatal injuries on the same day they were discovered. Earlier, officials identified a third victim, Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old college freshman from Seal Beach, who also died after falling approximately 500 feet.
The harrowing search and rescue operation commenced around 11:30 a.m. on December 29, 2023, when deputies received reports of an injured hiker near the trail. Investigators confirmed the injured hiker was later identified as Casanova, whose hiking companion had sought help and provided GPS coordinates to rescuers.
Ground teams and sheriff’s air crews responded promptly, but strong winds hampered helicopter operations. Eventually, an air medic was deployed with assistance from a Los Angeles County helicopter, confirming the deaths of all three men that evening.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers of hiking in mountainous terrain, particularly during adverse weather conditions. The authorities are investigating further details surrounding the circumstances of the falls.
The community is mourning the loss of these individuals, reflecting on the profound impact such tragedies have on families and friends left behind. As investigations continue, further updates will be provided.
For those planning to hike in similar conditions, officials urge caution and preparedness to avoid such heartbreaking incidents in the future.
