Missing Hiker Found Dead On Mount Baldy

MOUNT BALDY (CBS) — CBS 2 and KCAL 9 have learned that missing hiker Michelle Yu has been found dead on Mount Baldy in San Bernardino County.

Officials had been looking for Yu for several days. She was first reported missing over the weekend.

Rescuers attempted to find her via ground and by helicopter. San Bernardino Sheriff's Public Affairs told CBS 2 and KCAL 9 Wednesday night, that earlier today the unit's Air Rescue Six saw what appeared to be a body in a rugged and icy area known as Fish Fork, northwest of the summit.

Yu had failed to return home Saturday from what she told friends was going to be a simple one-day hike on the 10,000 foot pike.

Yu, 49, of Venice, was an experienced hiker who friends said spent most weekends hiking the steep mountain. While Yu wasn't dressed for the weather that hit the mountain Sunday night, she was supposedly prepared with extra food and water.

She told friends she planned a 4.5 mile trek to Baldy's summit and then she was going to come down via an area called Devil's Backbone Trail and meet up with a ski lift.

Her body was found, said the Sheriff's Air Rescue Team, at about the 7,900 ft. level.

A cause of death is pending further investigation by the LA County Coroner.

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