A hiker found dead a day after he failed to return from a trek up El Cajon Mountain has been identified as a San Diego resident.
Johnathan Gorbea was 40 years old, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
According to sheriff’s officials, Gorbea had gone for a hike at El Capitan County Preserve on Saturday. His family reported him missing the following morning. A search and rescue effort was activated.
Searchers found Gorbea’s car at the preserve, which is east of Lakeside. He did not answer calls to his phone, although the device pinged off a cell tower in the area.
Gorbea’s body was discovered near one of the hiking trails just east of the trailhead about 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The Medical Examiner’s Office said it is investigating Gorbea’s cause and manner of death.