Three Missing Hikers Recovered at Rattlesnake Falls
Authorities have confirmed the recovery of three hikers who went missing after jumping into Rattlesnake Falls in California on June 18. The men—Matthew Schoenecker and Valentino Creus of Los Angeles, and Matthew Anthony of New York City—were part of a larger group hiking in the remote Soda Springs area. They entered the water and never resurfaced.
The rest of the group was rescued by helicopter the next day. Placer County Sheriff’s Office launched a large-scale search involving multiple agencies, but poor weather temporarily halted efforts. The search resumed in full on June 22, when all three bodies were recovered.
“This is an extremely remote and rugged area,” officials said. Volunteer diver Juan Heredia described the dangerous conditions and his determination to recover the bodies. “The waterfall was brutal… but I wasn’t leaving without bringing those three souls home,” he shared in a Facebook post.
The sheriff’s office extended condolences to the victims’ families, calling it a tragic loss.