Who was the college student found dead on Mt. Baldy?

Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old freshman at Santa Clara University, was identified as one of three hikers found deceased on Mt. Baldy.

What happened to the hikers on Mt. Baldy?

Three hikers were found deceased on Mt. Baldy after one reportedly fell and rescue efforts were hampered by severe high winds.

When were the hikers discovered on Mt. Baldy?

The hikers were discovered during a rescue operation that began on the afternoon of December 29, 2025.

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Mt. Baldy Tragedy: Freshman Hiker Identified Among Three Deceased

1 Jan

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Summary

Nineteen-year-old Marcus Casanova was among three hikers found deceased.
Casanova was a freshman at Santa Clara University's business school.
High winds hampered rescue efforts, preventing helicopter extractions.

Mt. Baldy Tragedy: Freshman Hiker Identified Among Three Deceased

Three hikers were found deceased on Mt. Baldy, with one identified as 19-year-old Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department confirmed Casanova, a freshman at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business and a resident of Seal Beach, California, was among the victims. His family described him as a passionate sailor and outdoorsman, expressing their profound grief and requesting privacy.

Authorities responded to a report of an injured hiker on December 29, 2025, approximately 11:30 a.m. The hiker reportedly fell 500 feet. During an aerial search, rescue teams located the injured hiker along with two other individuals in distress. However, severe winds prevented helicopter landings and rescue operations. Later that evening, high winds again thwarted hoist attempts, and an air medic confirmed all three individuals were deceased.