A hiker, Tim Sgrignoli who went missing on Sunday, September 3, has been found dead after he left in search of water for his dehydrated girlfriend in Gaviota state park
The authorities found the dead body of the 29-year-old on Thursday morning, September 8, after a 4-day search and rescue operation off a trail near Santa Barbara.
29 Year Old Tim Sgrignoli Missing Software Engineer Of Ventura Found Dead, Age, Biography, Girlfriend, News And Cause Of Death
Peak incident update: The search for missing hiker, 29-year-old Tim Sgrignoli of Ventura ended at 9:29am today when he was found deceased between Trespass Trail and Hwy 101. Cause and manner of death are pending. No foul play is suspected, heat is likely a contributing factor.
— PIO Raquel Zick (@SBSOPIO) September 8, 2022
Tim Sgrignoli, 29 of Ventura, went missing Sunday afternoon while hiking with his girlfriend in the Tresspass Trail/Gaviota area. Both hikers were suffering from heat exhaustion and Sgrignoli went looking for water and help. https://t.co/4kK86O5QA0
— Erin Reed 🌸✌️ (@DisfunkGlee) September 6, 2022
A Sheriff’s spokesperson revealed that the Ventura-based resident had been hiking the Gaviota Hot Springs trail in the Ynez mountains along with his girlfriend over the weekend.
The girlfriend of the software engineer, whose identity hasn’t been released for legal reasons reportedly began to suffer mild heat exhaustion due to sweltering temperatures.
The unidentified girlfriend was rescued on Sunday afternoon, however his boyfriend never returned.
The cause of hiker’s death is yet to be determined, but the cops do not suspect any foul play and believe the hiker likely died of heat exhaustion, dehydration and exposure.
The tragic news of hiker’s death comes amid an unprecedented heat wave which is scorching the west coast, particularly California, Nevada and Arizona.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, September 6, Sacramento recorded a high of 116 degrees, making it the hottest day which is ever registered in the capital of California.
Speaking of the incident, the officers of Santa Barbara County Fire Department received a call around 2 pm on Sunday afternoon about an embattled couple who were in need of emergency aid on the trail.
Tim reportedly remained with his girlfriend until authorities confirmed a rescue helicopter had been dispatched for the location. Later, he decided to go and look for the water.
A Sheriff’s Commander of Santa Barbara County, Erik Raney revealed to the News Channel 3-12 on Thursday that, “This morning one of the mutual Search and Rescue teams from San Mateo County made the discovery of Mr. Sgrignoli, unfortunately deceased.”
He further added, “The heat, as far as complications to this search, was the number one issue. The first several days, as you know we had record-breaking temperatures.”
Tim’s family and friends start expressing concerns at his disappearance by Wednesday morning, and a large group of volunteers subsequently hit the trails in the desperate bid to find the software engineer.
Tim’s older sister Kym took to her Facebook account and revealed that a “huge group of family and friends” headed towards Gaviota Peak and Trespass trails and they were “still hopeful to find him.”
However, the following morning at around 9 am, search and rescue teams located his body just 20ft away from Highway 101 North of the Gaviota tunnel close to the Hot Springs trail.
The tragic news of hiker’s demise comes after a 32-year-old doctor, Evan Dishion, who had recently become a father died after running out of water and getting lost while hiking in Arizona in heat excess of 109 degrees.
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