The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating following the discovery of a deceased man near a waterfall close to Mount Baldy. The unidentified male victim was found with “trauma to his upper torso,” according to an LASD release cited by KTLA. The incident, which was reported at approximately 3:28 p.m. on Saturday, has led to the detention of a suspect following a single-car crash a few miles from the scene.
Authorities were alerted to an assault with a deadly weapon on Mount Baldy Road, near Stoddard Canyon Falls, prompting the response from deputies from the San Dimas Station. The Los Angeles County Fire Department pronounced the victim dead upon their arrival. Not long after, a man seen driving from the location of the crime has been detained. LASD has yet to confirm if this individual is to remain in custody or has since been released. The LASD’s Homicide Bureau continues to lead the investigation, as mentioned in the report provided by Nixle.
Stoddard Canyon Falls, known for its captivating 40-foot rockslide waterfall and surrounding pool below, had recently gained notoriety after it went viral on social media for its scenic allure and proximity to the Los Angeles area, as reported by the Los Angeles Times in a September 2023 article.
While the victim's identity has not been shared with the public, the deceased has been described as a White male adult. The suspect detained, also a White male adult, was involved in a solo traffic collision shortly after speeding away from the area of the incident. Further details surrounding the events that transpired are still being reviewed and no additional public information is presently available. Community members with potential insights or relevant details are urged "to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau" or to submit information anonymously through Crime Stoppers, a resource recommended by both KTLA and Nixle reports.
