Missing Hiker Search Ends in Lakeside 

August 2, 2023 - San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials report that the search for a missing hiker in Lakeside has concluded. 

On Monday, July 31, a 34-year-old man was reported missing after he did not return from a hike on El Cajon Mountain. The man had started his hike around 9:00 a.m. and was expected to return to his family around 2:00 p.m. When the man did not return, his family contacted the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

A Sheriff's Command Post was established at the Lakeside Christian Church located in the 13000 block of El Monte Road in Lakeside. The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit was also activated. SAR Volunteers searched the area with the assistance of the Sheriff's ASTREA (helicopter) Unit throughout the night.

On Tuesday, August 1 around 8:45 a.m., a man was found deceased near one of the hiking trails on El Cajon Mountain. Once the body is recovered, it will be turned over to the Medical Examiner's Office. The Medical Examiner will make a positive identification of the man, as well as determine cause and manner of death pending notification of his family.

We want to thank all the volunteers who helped during the search operations. The Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) is an all-volunteer unit.  Together, they perform wilderness and urban rescues and search for missing and at-risk persons.  Teams are available 24 hours per day to respond to local, state, and federal agency requests. To learn more about SAR, visit: www.sdsheriff.gov/searchandrescue. 

Source: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department