(This story was updated to add new information.)
One ofthree hikers found deadafter an unsuccessful rescue attempt on Southern California's Mount Baldy has been identified as a 19-year-old whose family says he was an avid outdoorsman and that they are "destroyed" by his loss.
Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old resident of Seal Beach, was identified as one of the three male hikers who died amid windy conditions on the snow-covered mountain earlier this week, the San Bernardino County Coroner said on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Coroner said it's working to identify the other two hikers.
Casanova's body was found Monday, but dangerous winds delayed recovery efforts until Tuesday. Friends say he fell about 500 feet near Devil's Backbone, a trail that lures many hikers and mountaineers to the San Gabriel mountain's highest peak.
The teenager's family issued a statement Wednesday, calling him "an incredibly sweet and empathetic young man."
"We are destroyed by the loss of our beloved Marcus," they wrote. "He was a graduate of Los Alamitos High, a freshman at Santa Clara University's business school, and an avid sailor and outdoorsman ... It is difficult to explain the pain and anguish we are going through and ask for privacy as we try to find our way."
Authorities said they responded to a request at about 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 29 to locate an injured 19-year-old male hiker near the Devil's Backbone trail, who'd reportedly fallen approximately 500 feet. During an aerial search, authorities located the injured hiker and two others. However, due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to complete the rescue safely, authorities said.
Severe winds continued to hamper another rescue effort later that evening, during which an air medic confirmed all three hikers were dead. The helicopter was unable to complete the recovery efforts, county officials said.
Is Mount Baldy still closed?
The Mount Baldy area of the San Gabriel Mountains istemporarily closeduntil 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, according to the Angeles National Forest.
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Shannon Dicus said the temporary closure is "necessary to prevent additional emergencies and protect lives."
"The tragic loss of life on Mt. Baldy and repeated rescue responses highlight how dangerous current conditions are, even for experienced hikers," Dicus said. "Weather and terrain conditions remain extremely dangerous and unpredictable, posing a significant risk to both the public and Search and Rescue personnel."
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her atpbarraza@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Teenage hiker killed in fall on California's Mt. Baldy was 'beloved'
