Authorities have recovered the bodies of three hikers who went missing after jumping into Rattlesnake Falls in California on June 18.
The victims—Matthew Schoenecker and Valentino Creus of Los Angeles, and Matthew Anthony of New York City—were part of a hiking group exploring the remote Soda Springs area. They entered the water and failed to resurface. The rest of the group, stranded in rugged terrain, was rescued by helicopter the next day.
Placer County Sheriff’s Office led a large-scale search involving multiple agencies. Harsh conditions delayed efforts, but a full-scale search resumed on June 22, when all three bodies were recovered.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families,” the sheriff’s office said.
Volunteer diver Juan Heredia described the dangerous recovery, saying, “The waterfall was brutal… but I wasn’t leaving without bringing those three souls home.”