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All Three Mt. Baldy Hikers Identified as Probe Focuses on Devil's Backbone Falls

Investigators believe the men fell from the Devil's Backbone the day they were found during hazardous conditions.

Overview

  • San Bernardino County officials named the remaining victims as Juan Sarat Lopez, 37, and Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, 36, both Guatemalan nationals living in Los Angeles.
  • The third victim was previously identified as 19-year-old Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova of Seal Beach, who fell about 500 feet near the Devil's Backbone.
  • Deputies launched a Dec. 29 search after a report of an injured hiker near the trail, and aerial crews located Casanova and two additional victims during the sweep.
  • Strong winds prevented a helicopter hoist, and an air medic later confirmed all three were deceased; investigators say the deaths occurred that same day.
  • Authorities said Lopez and Garcia were not hiking with Casanova, and seven Mount Baldy trails, including Devil's Backbone, are closed through Jan. 7 for safety.