California: Body Found Amid Search for the 50-Year-Old Missing Hiker

San Diego authorities reported a grim discovery on Monday, as the body of a woman believed to be 50-year-old missing California hiker Diem Le Nguyen was found a day after she went missing on a trail in the city's wilderness area.

According to the San Diego Police Department, Nguyen disappeared on Sunday morning after becoming separated from a large hiking group of approximately 100 people on the Nighthawk Trail in Black Mountain Open Space Park, located in the Rancho Peñasquitos area of north San Diego, ABC News reports.

A search helicopter located a body matching Nguyen's description on Monday morning in the vicinity where she had been hiking.

Tragic Disappearance and Search Efforts

Authorities await autopsy results to confirm the body's identity found after missing California hiker Diem Le Nguyen went missing when hiking Black Mountain.

Nguyen started the hike with a group but continued alone towards the summit despite the intense heat, contacting family at 10 AM Sunday in distress, needing water, and not being heard from afterward.

Search efforts began promptly after reports at 11:30 AM Sunday, involving extensive operations and a helicopter crew.

A California hiker remained missing until Monday morning's discovery, according to Newsweek.

During a press conference, Police Lt. Daniel Meyer extended condolences to Nguyen's family, stressing community support.

The incident occurred amid San Diego's sweltering temperatures, prompting safety advisories.

Luke McClish's recent survival story in the Santa Cruz Mountains, surviving on creek water for ten days, highlights the challenges faced by hikers in remote areas.

Discovery and Community Response

Authorities revealed during the press conference that the body was found off-trail, approximately a quarter mile away from populated areas.

While initial observations align with missing California hiker Nguyen's description, definitive identification awaits the coroner's report.

Nguyen participated in a 5k hike benefiting the Build a School Foundation, organized along the Nighthawk Trail.

After reaching the trail's end alone, she contacted the group and later with her sister, expressing fatigue and the need for hydration.

Search efforts included over 50 volunteers, utilizing drones and search dogs despite challenging heat conditions.

Officials also attempted to track Nguyen's cell phone location but encountered limitations in signal precision.

As news of Nguyen's discovery spread, local authorities urged community members to refrain from venturing into the search area, allowing search dogs to operate effectively.

The community's response has been crucial in supporting ongoing search and rescue operations, People noted.

San Diego's recent heatwave posed significant challenges to hikers and emergency responders. Authorities underscored the importance of preparedness and caution when engaging in outdoor activities during extreme weather conditions.

The discovery of the missing California hiker's body marks a tragic turn in what began as a community hike, underscoring the unpredictability and risks inherent in outdoor activities.

As investigations continue, authorities remain focused on providing closure to Nguyen's loved ones and raising awareness about safety measures in wilderness settings.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Body of missing hiker found near 'Nighthawk Trail' on Black Mountain - From CBS 8 San Diego