Three Hikers Lose Lives After Leap Into California Waterfall

Authorities in California have confirmed the tragic recovery of three young men who vanished after plunging into the waters at Rattlesnake Falls in the remote Soda Springs region.

The victims have been identified as Matthew Schoenecker, of Los Angeles, Matthew Anthony, of New York City, and Valentino Creus, also of Los Angeles. The three were hiking with a larger group on Wednesday, June 18, when they reportedly jumped into the falls and never resurfaced.

A Trip That Turned Into a Nightmare

The group had been exploring the backcountry when the accident occurred. While the rest of the hikers managed to avoid harm, they were left stranded in unforgiving terrain and had to be lifted out by helicopter the following day.

Emergency dispatchers received the first call around 3 p.m. on June 18. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office quickly mobilized a multi-agency response, including the Sheriff’s Dive Team, CAL FIRE’s specialized rescue crews, and an aerial unit from the California Highway Patrol.

Challenging Recovery Conditions

Officials stressed how difficult the mission was. “This is one of the most rugged and isolated areas in our county, which made the operation especially dangerous,” the sheriff’s office said in an earlier update.

Search efforts were initially slowed by poor weather and high water levels, forcing rescuers to suspend operations on Thursday. Crews returned with limited manpower on Friday, but it wasn’t until Sunday, June 22, that conditions allowed for a renewed full-scale search with advanced equipment and support from partner agencies.

That day, the bodies of all three missing hikers were located and recovered.

Community in Mourning

The sheriff’s office released a public statement soon after: “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of these young men. The loss is profound, and our community grieves with them.”

Volunteer diver Juan Heredia, who assisted with the recovery, later shared a moving account on social media. He described a grueling three-hour trek just to reach the falls, followed by a dive against an unforgiving current.

“The waterfall was merciless. It kept pulling me under,” Heredia wrote. “But I refused to stop until I had brought them home. Without our efforts, they might not have surfaced for weeks.”

He ended his post with a somber reflection: “Three souls have been brought back. Now, at least, their families can begin the painful process of healing.”

A Lasting Impact

The deaths of Schoenecker, Anthony, and Creus have sent ripples of sorrow through friends, family members, and the broader hiking community. Volunteers, law enforcement, and locals alike have united in grief, holding vigils and sharing tributes to honor the lives cut short by the powerful waters of Rattlesnake Falls.