CBS2 News

CBS2 News
Feb 2, 2004 12:39 pm US/Pacific

Body Of Hiker Found In San Bernardino Mountains
Seal Beach Man Disappeared Two Weeks Ago

Eugene Kumm SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) -- The body of a Seal Beach hiker who disappeared two weeks ago was found Saturday in an icy ravine on Mount San Gorgonio, authorities said.

Volunteer rescue workers found the body of 25-year-old Eugene Kumm along with his wilderness permit and a .22 caliber handgun, said sheriff's Deputy Shannon Kovich.

Coroner officials were expected to confirm the body's identity Sunday, she said.

Seven hikers died in January in Southern California mountains, authorities said.

Two rescue teams began searching for Kumm about 6 a.m. Saturday, but a family of hikers spotted the body first and led the teams to the area, Kovich said.

Kumm may have been hiking down the 11,500-foot Mount San Gorgonio when he wandered off the snow-covered trail and slipped into the ravine, Kovich said.

"As far as we can tell, he died instantly. There was no sign that he tried to move or get anything out of his pack," she said.

The parents of Kumm's girlfriend were waiting at the command post when the body was found. Chaplains notified his girlfriend and were contacting Kumm's family in Nebraska.


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