The bodies of three hikers have been discovered on California's notorious Mount Baldy, with one victim identified as a 19-year-old university student. The tragic incident has prompted the immediate closure of several trails on the mountain.
Student Hiker Identified After Fatal Fall
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department confirmed that Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old freshman from Seal Beach, was found deceased on Monday, 23 December 2024. The discovery was made along the perilous Devil's Backbone trail. Authorities stated they responded to reports of a hiker who had fallen approximately 500 feet. His companion managed to hike to an area with cellular service to provide GPS coordinates for rescuers.
Rescue efforts were severely hampered by severe winds, which prevented an initial helicopter airlift. Crews eventually reached the scene on foot, and an air medic was later lowered to confirm Casanova's death. The cause of death for Casanova and the two other, as yet unidentified, hikers is pending determination by the county coroner.
A Mountain Known for Danger
Mount Baldy, which rises over 10,000ft just east of Los Angeles, is a popular but notoriously hazardous destination, especially in winter. The area has seen multiple tragedies in recent years. In January 2023, the actor Julian Sands went missing on a solo hike there; his body was found five months later. That same month, a further 15 hikers were reported lost, injured, or killed on the mountain.
In a statement to local media, Casanova's grieving family described him as an avid sailor and outdoorsman, and a business student at Santa Clara University. "We are destroyed by the loss of our beloved Marcus," the family said, requesting privacy as they navigate their anguish.
Trails Closed and Further Rescues
In response to the fatalities, the US Forest Service has announced the closure of seven trails on Mount Baldy, including the Devil's Backbone. The closures are in effect until next Wednesday for public safety.
On the same day the three hikers were found, the San Bernardino sheriff's department also rescued two other men, aged 18 and 31, from a different trail on the mountain. One had been injured after falling more than 100 feet. This follows another rescue of three people near the same trail in October, underscoring the persistent dangers of the terrain.
