(FOX40.COM) — Three bodies have been found after days of searching for three people who went into the water at Rattlesnake Falls in Soda Springs and did not resurface on June 18.
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The Placer County Sheriff’s Office identified the three men as 50-year-old Matthew Schoenecker of Los Angeles, 44-year-old Matthew Anthony of New York City and 59-year-old Valentino Creus of Los Angeles.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to the area of Rattlesnake Falls after getting reports that three people entered the water and did not resurface.
PSCO made contact with a hiking group and determined that six men were hiking in the area when three men jumped into the water at Rattlesnake Falls.
The three remaining hikers were evacuated with the use of a CHP helicopter, the sheriff’s office said.
The search committee included the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Search and Rescue units, CAL FIRE’s Technical Rescue Team, and CHP’s helicopter, PCSO said.
On June 19, during the morning, officials continued with their search for the three men, PCSO said. Placer County dive team members were flown into the remote area by helicopter, carrying out a search operation.
In the afternoon, PCSO said that the search operation was suspended for the day due to poor water visibility caused by debris and strong currents. As the wind started to pick up, it made flying conditions unsafe.
On June 20, PCSO said the search continued in a limited but ongoing capacity.
On Sunday, PCSO released a statement that the bodies of the three men had been recovered.
PCSO said, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss.”
At this time, the names and ages of the deceased have not been released to the public.
