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Homicide Probe Opens After Fatal Tree Branch Collapse at Calabasas Summer Camp

Park authorities are aiding homicide detectives, launching a review of tree hazard protocols at the site.

1987: American soul singer Chico DeBarge   (Photo by BSR Agency/Gentle Look via Getty Images)
The intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue, as seen on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
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Overview

  • A heavy branch snapped from a tree at Camp Wildcraft in King Gillette Ranch on Wednesday afternoon, fatally striking one child and injuring four others near a picnic area.
  • L.A. County Fire Department crews arrived within minutes, provided first aid at the scene and arranged for the critically injured child to be airlifted to a trauma center.
  • The L.A. County Sheriff's Department homicide unit is investigating the death to determine whether negligence or maintenance failures contributed to the incident.
  • The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority has pledged full cooperation with investigators and committed to a transparent examination of the ranch's tree maintenance practices.
  • Park officials have initiated a hazard assessment review and local agencies are coordinating counseling and support services for the families affected.