Fact Check: Three hikers drowned after jumping into California's Rattlesnake Falls.

Fact Check: "Three hikers drowned after jumping into California's Rattlesnake Falls."

What We Know

On June 18, 2025, three hikers jumped into the water at Rattlesnake Falls, located in Soda Springs, California, and subsequently did not resurface. The Placer County Sheriff's Office reported that the men were part of a group of six hikers. After the three men failed to reappear, the remaining hikers used a satellite phone to call for help around 3 p.m. that day (New York Times).

Rescue efforts were complicated by the challenging terrain and hazardous water conditions, which were described as "always cold and hazardous this time of year due to snowpack melt" (New York Times). The bodies of the three men—identified as Matthew Schoenecker, 50, Valentino Creus, 59, both from Los Angeles, and Matthew Anthony, 44, from New York City—were recovered several days later, on June 23, 2025 (RGJ, USA Today).

Analysis

The claim that three hikers drowned after jumping into Rattlesnake Falls is corroborated by multiple reliable sources. The Placer County Sheriff's Office confirmed the incident and the recovery of the bodies, which lends credibility to the reports. The sheriff's office described the recovery efforts as challenging due to the remote location and poor underwater visibility caused by strong currents and debris (NBC News, SFGate).

Witness accounts and the sheriff's office statements indicate that the hikers did not resurface after jumping into the water, leading to the conclusion that they drowned (RGJ, USA Today). Additionally, the tragic nature of the event has been consistently reported across various news outlets, emphasizing the hazardous conditions of the area (NBC News, ABC7).

The sources used in this analysis are credible news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The information provided by the Placer County Sheriff's Office is particularly reliable, as it comes directly from the authorities involved in the incident.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that three hikers drowned after jumping into California's Rattlesnake Falls is supported by multiple credible sources, including statements from the Placer County Sheriff's Office and various news reports detailing the events surrounding the tragic incident.

Sources

1. Bodies of 3 Hikers Who Jumped in Water Near Lake Tahoe Are Recovered
2. 3 hikers identified in fatal waterfall dive near Lake Tahoe
3. 3 men dead after jumping into water at California's Rattlesnake Falls
4. Three hikers found dead after they jumped into California waterfall
5. A diver recovered 3 bodies from a deadly, 'brutal' Calif. waterfall
6. 3 hikers found dead after jumping into water in Soda ...