Photo: Taylor Reilly / Cavan / Getty Images
SEAL BEACH (CNS) - Two of the three hikers found dead at Mount Baldy last week have been identified as Los Angeles residents, authorities said Saturday.
They were identified as Juan Sarat Lopez, 37, and Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, 36. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the men were Guatemalan nationals who were living in Los Angeles.
The third hiker was identified Dec. 31 as 19-year-old Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova of Seal Beach.
San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies launched their search at about 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 29 for a 19-year-old reported injured near Devils Backbone who was later identified as Muench Casanova. Authorities said he appeared to have fallen about 500 feet.
At about 7:30 p.m. that day, an airship from Los Angeles County helped with rescue efforts, but high winds foiled an effort to hoist the victim, deputies said. An air medic was hoisted down and was able to confirm that all three hikers were dead.