What started as a casual hike among friends turned into a heartbreaking tragedy. Three men, all experienced hikers visiting Northern California, died after jumping into the frigid waters of a remote waterfall near Soda Springs. Their bodies weren’t found until days later, following a grueling search-and-recovery effort that left even veteran rescuers shaken.
Valentino Creus, 59, and Matthew Schoenecker, 50, both from Los Angeles, and Matthew Anthony, 44, of New York City, had joined a small hiking group last Tuesday. The group trekked to Rattlesnake Falls, a strikingly beautiful but treacherous spot tucked into the Tahoe National Forest. It was supposed to be a quick dip in the water to cool off. Instead, the three men jumped—and never resurfaced.
Panic on the Trail
The other hikers knew something was wrong almost immediately. When the three failed to come up after diving into the deep pool, panic set in. With no cellphone service in the area, the group had to hike several miles back down the trail to call for help.
Rescue teams from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, CAL FIRE, and other agencies rushed in. But the terrain made the operation painfully difficult. There were no roads to the waterfall. Crews had to hike in with gear, navigate steep cliffs, and work in fast-moving water that was barely above freezing.
A Search That Turned Into a Recovery
By Wednesday, rescuers feared the worst. The water was dark and deep—over 45 feet in places. Visibility was near zero. Conditions were so dangerous that some divers had to forgo scuba gear, using only masks and fins.
Juan Heredia, a volunteer diver and veteran of many search operations, was one of the few who made it to the bottom. He described the effort as “brutal”—physically and emotionally. Still, he returned to the water multiple times, eventually pulling all three bodies from the pool.
“There was no air left in my lungs,” Heredia said. “But I wasn’t leaving them down there.”
Remembering the Men Lost
All three men had been in Northern California for a spiritual retreat. Two of them worked with Opus Dei. One was a well-known researcher in molecular biology education. They weren’t reckless or inexperienced—they just didn’t know how dangerous the water below that waterfall really was.
The temperature shock from the icy mountain water can paralyze even strong swimmers. Add in strong currents and slippery rocks, and a peaceful-looking pool can become deadly in seconds.
Friends and colleagues have begun sharing tributes online—describing the men as kind, curious, and deeply devoted to their faith and work.
“They lived with purpose,” one friend wrote. “They died in friendship. And now they are deeply missed.”
Warnings for Future Hikers
Local authorities are now urging anyone heading into the backcountry to treat natural swimming spots with extreme caution. Waterfalls, especially ones fed by snowmelt, can be unpredictable and extremely cold—even on warm days.
“Just because it looks peaceful doesn’t mean it’s safe,” said one sheriff’s deputy.
Officials are also looking into placing more warning signs near popular trailheads. For now, they hope the story of these three men can serve as a sobering reminder of how fast things can change in the wilderness.
Looking Ahead
The area has reopened to hikers, but the mood is different now. Locals say Rattlesnake Falls, once seen as a secret gem, will always be remembered for what happened last week.
