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Hiker who drowned at Three Sisters Falls identified

Crews search for missing hiker at Three Sisters Falls
Posted at 6:01 PM, Jun 19, 2023
and last updated 2023-06-20 19:17:24-04

JULIAN, Calif. (KGTV) - The San Diego County Medical Examiner has identified the man who died after falling into the water at Three Sisters Falls last Friday.

28-year-old Richard Oliver from Rancho Cucamonga died Friday afternoon after falling into the water at Three Sisters, becoming submerged, according to the Medical Examiner.

Authorities said Oliver’s friend was taking pictures when the incident took place. The manner of death has been ruled an accident by the Medical Examiner’s office. The cause of death is drowning.

The search for Oliver ended Monday after authorities located a body.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the body was found by divers with the department's reserve unit just before 1:30 p.m. underwater in the middle pool of the falls.

The body was discovered in the same area where Oliver was last seen Friday.

RELATED: Crews search for missing hiker at Three Sisters Falls

The four-day search included deputies with the Alpine Sheriff's Station, Julian Sheriff's Substation, Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter, CAL FIRE and U.S. Forest Service.

“The water current was too dangerous for divers to attempt a search underwater until today,” the department said.

RELATED: Woman killed in tragic fall at Three Sisters Falls identified

“We thank all the volunteers who helped during the search operations,” the department concluded.