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Mt. Baldy Tragedy: Freshman Hiker Identified Among Three Deceased
1 Jan
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.
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.
It remains unclear if Casanova was the hiker who fell or one of the other two victims. The incident led to temporary closures of select Mt. Baldy trails due to public safety concerns. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is continuing its investigation into the determination of the cause of death for all three hikers.
