Full Notification

DATE/TIME:  February 4, 2024/11:14 p.m.

INCIDENT:   Missing Hiker

LOCATION:  Mt. Baldy, San Bernardino County, CA

MISSING PERSON: Lifei Huang, 22-years-old, Resident of El Monte (Deceased)


UPDATE:  February 11, 2024 - On February 10, 2024, at approximately 3:25 p.m., the U.S. Forestry Department notified Sheriff’s Dispatch that a citizen flying a drone may have spotted missing hiker, Lifei Huang. Deputies and search and rescue team members responded to the upper San Antonio Creek Falls area but were unable to hike to the spot where Ms. Huang was believed to be, due to the conditions on the mountain. Sherriff’s aviation crews were unable to perform an aerial search due to high winds. Search and rescue team members stayed the night near the location to preserve the scene.

On February 11, 2024, at approximately 7:45 a.m., Sheriff’s Air Rescue 306 hoisted medics down to the location, where they located Ms. Huang deceased. Ms. Huang and the medics were then airlifted off the mountain.

We would like to thank all our personnel and volunteers that aided in the search, as well as the citizen that alerted U.S. Forestry.



SUMMARY: On Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 11:14 p.m., deputies from the Fontana Sheriff’s Station received a call regarding a missing hiker in the Mt. Baldy area of the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino County.  Lifei Huang set out on a hike alone at about 2 p.m., and had not been heard from since about 4 p.m. 

At about 2:30 a.m., on Monday, February 5, 2024, members of the Sheriff’s West Valley Search and Rescue Crew arrived and began a search but did not locate Huang.
  
On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, search and rescue crews continued the search in extremely heavy snowfall, however, avalanche risks hindered the search efforts, and the crews were pulled off the mountain.  Search and rescue personnel will remain at the trail head and will resume searching when it is safe to do so.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department strongly urges everyone to stay away and refrain from mountain activities during this inclement weather.  The weather has effectively buried the mountain in snow and it is highly likely hikers will get into trouble.  Resources are stretched to their limits and hikers who get lost may have to wait long periods of time before help is available.  

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Fontana Sheriff’s Station at 909-356-6767.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.  


Refer:  Deputy C. Henry

Station:  Fontana

Phone No. 909-356-6767


SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department