UPDATE: The final two hikers found dead on Mt. Baldy earlier this week have been officially identified, authorities confirmed on Saturday, January 3, 2024. The victims, identified as Juan Sarat Lopez, 37, and Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, 36, were both Guatemalan nationals living in Los Angeles.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reported that investigators believe Lopez and Ramos Garcia fell from the Devil’s Backbone trail and died the same day they were discovered. Earlier, they identified another victim, Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old college freshman from Seal Beach, who also died from a fall near the same location.
The tragic incidents unfolded on December 29, 2023, when search and rescue teams were called around 11:30 a.m. after receiving reports of an injured hiker. Casanova had reportedly fallen approximately 500 feet while hiking with a companion, who went to seek help and provided GPS coordinates to rescuers.
Aerial searches were complicated by strong winds, but sheriff’s air crews eventually located Casanova along with Lopez and Ramos Garcia. Unfortunately, conditions prevented helicopters from carrying out a rescue. An air medic was dispatched later that evening, confirming that all three men had succumbed to their injuries.
The circumstances surrounding the falls remain under investigation, and it is not yet clear if Lopez and Ramos Garcia had any connection to Casanova. The local community is mourning the loss of these young lives, highlighting the dangers of hiking in treacherous conditions.
As investigations continue, officials stress the importance of safety precautions while hiking, especially on challenging trails like the Devil’s Backbone. Authorities are urging hikers to remain vigilant and prepared for sudden weather changes that can lead to dangerous situations.
This developing story underscores the human impact of outdoor adventures gone wrong, resonating with many who cherish the beauty of nature but also recognize its inherent risks.
Stay tuned for further updates as more details emerge from the investigation.
