Photo: Laura Rose / iStock / Getty Images
Three hikers were found dead after jumping into Rattlesnake Falls in California, as confirmed by the Placer County Sheriff's Office on Sunday (June 22). The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday (June 18) when a group of six men were hiking in the remote Soda Springs area. Three members of the group decided to jump into the waterfall and failed to resurface, prompting a multi-day search and rescue operation.
The victims have been identified as Valentino Creus and Matthew Schoenecker, both 50, from Los Angeles, and Matthew Anthony, 44, from New York City. The search efforts, which involved the Placer County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, CAL FIRE's Technical Rescue Team, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), faced challenges due to harsh terrain and strong water currents. The CHP provided a helicopter to assist in evacuating the surviving hikers.
A volunteer diver, Juan Heredia, played a crucial role in locating the bodies. He described the conditions on Facebook as "brutal," highlighting the freezing water and difficult access to the site. Heredia expressed hope that the families of the victims can begin their healing process now that they have closure.
The sheriff's office extended condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, emphasizing the impact of this tragic loss. The area around Rattlesnake Falls, located about 26 miles from Lake Tahoe, is known for its challenging trails and remote location, making rescue operations particularly difficult.