Three young men—Matthew Schoenecker, Matthew Anthony, and Valentino Creus—have tragically been confirmed dead after jumping into Rattlesnake Falls in Soda Springs, California, during a hiking trip on June 18. Despite efforts to save them, the men failed to resurface, leading to a multi-day search operation.

The remaining members of their hiking group were airlifted to safety due to the area’s difficult terrain. The search was delayed multiple times by poor weather, but by June 22, all three bodies had been recovered. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office extended its condolences to the families and community affected by the loss.

Volunteer diver Juan Heredia shared the difficulty of the recovery process, describing the force of the waterfall that made their work perilous. He and his team’s efforts were credited with recovering the bodies before they could be trapped by the strong currents.

This tragedy serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of remote wilderness areas, especially around waterfalls. Authorities are urging hikers to exercise caution, stay informed about weather conditions, and be prepared when exploring such terrains.