Full Notification

DATE: December 29, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.,

INCIDENT: Search for Injured Hikers on Mount Baldy 

LOCATION: Mount Baldy

SUBJECT 1: Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, 19-year-old Resident of Seal Beach
SUBJECTS 2 and 3: Official ID Pending
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UPDATED ON WEDNDESDAY, December 31, 2025, 9:35 A.M.

After recovering three deceased males from Mount Baldy, one has been positively identified as Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old resident of Seal Beach, CA. The cause of death is still pending.   

The Sheriff’s Coroner Division is still working to ID the other two decedents.  

This investigation is still ongoing, and an update will be provided as soon as we have more information to release.  
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SUMMARY: On December 29, 2025, at about 11:30 a.m., personnel from the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team and the Fontana Sheriff’s Station responded to a request to locate an injured 19-year-old male hiker near Devils Backbone. The hiker reportedly fell approximately 500 feet. His friend and hiking companion hiked to an area with cellular service and provided GPS coordinates to assist rescuers.

Search and Rescue ground crews began their ascent while Sheriff’s Air Rescue initiated an aerial search. During the aerial search, deputies located the injured hiker and located two additional individuals nearby who have not been identified.  Due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to safely complete the rescue.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., an airship from Los Angeles County assisted in the effort. High winds again prevented a hoist operation; however, an air medic was hoisted down and confirmed all three individuals were deceased.  Due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to safely complete the rescue. 

Recovery operation for all the subjects is underway.   More information will be released as it becomes available. No further details are available at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fontana Sheriff’s Station at (909) 356-6767 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (909) 387-8313. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Public Affairs

Station: Fontana

Phone No. (909) 356-6767

Case No. 032503334

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department