Alameda County

Searchers Find Body Believed to be of 70-Year-Old Hiker Who Went Missing in Sunol Wilderness Region

Search and rescue crews have found a body believed to be that of a hiker who went missing in the Sunol wilderness region, the East Bay Regional Park District said.

The team found the body just after 2 p.m. Thursday in a remote area of the Sunol wilderness region. Alameda County Coroner deputies were headed to the Maguire Peak area Thursday afternoon to identify the body and begin an investigation. The body was spotted by search and rescue crews form the district's helicopter.

Irwin “Don” Meyers was supposed to have returned by lunch on Wednesday. He left Palo Alto about 9:30 a.m., after planning to hike the Maguire Peak Trail in Sunol Regional Wilderness in Alameda County.

Meyers’ hiking partner said he was expected back for a “late lunch” but had not returned. She called police for help about 7 p.m. on Wednesday, according to park spokeswoman Carolyn Jones.

Meyers has previously hiked the Maguire Peak Trail and was considered to be in good physical condition. His Meyers’ vehicle was located off of Welch Creek Rd. near the Upper Maguire Peak Trail entrance. Park police said there appears to be no evidence of foul play.

More than 40 people from the East Bay Regional Park District Police along with the East Bay Regional Park District Fire Department, East Bay Regional Park District Rangers, East Bay Regional Park District Search and Rescue, Alameda County Fire, and the California Highway Patrol helicopter took part in the search.

Contact Us