College freshman identified as one of three hikers found dead on California’s Mount Baldy
Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, 19, died on the Devil’s Backbone trail after reportedly falling 500ft
TL;DR
- Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old college freshman, was identified as one of three hikers found dead on Mount Baldy.
- Casanova's body was discovered on the Devil's Backbone trail after a friend reported he fell approximately 500 feet.
- Two other hikers were also found deceased on the mountain, and their identities have not yet been released.
- Mount Baldy is a popular but treacherous hiking destination, especially during winter.
- Casanova was a student at Santa Clara University and described as an avid sailor and outdoorsman.
- Seven trails on Mount Baldy, including the Devil's Backbone, have been temporarily closed for public safety.
- The deaths occurred near the area where actor Julian Sands died in January 2023.
- In January 2023, 15 other hikers experienced incidents on Mount Baldy.
- The same day Casanova was found, two other hikers were rescued from a different trail on the mountain.