The search for missing hiker Lifei Huang came to a heartbreaking conclusion on February 11, 2024, as rescue teams located her body in the upper San Antonio Creek Falls area of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The 22-year-old resident of El Monte had been missing since February 4, prompting an extensive search effort hampered by challenging weather conditions.
On February 10, 2024, at around 3:25 p.m., the U.S. Forestry Department received a notification from a citizen flying a drone, suggesting that Huang might have been spotted in the mountainous terrain. Responding to the information, deputies and search and rescue teams headed to the upper San Antonio Creek Falls area. However, adverse weather conditions and high winds prevented both ground and aerial searches.
Sheriff’s aviation crews were unable to conduct an aerial search, leading search and rescue team members to spend the night near the location to preserve the scene. On February 11, 2024, at approximately 7:45 a.m., Sheriff’s Air Rescue 306 successfully hoisted medics down to the location, where they tragically confirmed the discovery of Ms. Huang’s lifeless body. Both Huang and the medics were airlifted off the mountain.