Hero diver reveals deadly mission to recover hikers from 'brutal' and frigid California waterfall
Juan Heredia, a volunteer diver, pulled the bodies of the trio from Rattlesnake Falls near Soda Springs on Sunday night.
The men have been identified as Valentino Creus, 50, of Los Angeles, Matthew Schoenecker, 50, of Los Angeles, and Matthew Anthony, 44, of New York City.
They were part of a group of six who hiked miles into the woods last Wednesday, in what officials described as an 'extremely remote and difficult to access' trail.
After a grueling hike to the site alongside fellow diver Josh Robinson, Heredia said he dived four times into the icy waters for nearly three minutes each to find the men.
In a post to his Facebook, Heredia said he did so as the families the of the men needed closure, and that it would likely take weeks for their bodies to resurface.
He posted: 'I found them!! The family no longer has to wait in agony!! That waterfall was brutal. He was pushing me hard, but I wouldn't leave without those 3 souls.
'When we finally got signal and called the Sheriff, it was already 9pm. What surprised me was the sergeant's response: 'We're going to send a team to walk right now to take care of the bodies".'
He added: 'At 9 o'clock at night. With a cold. Dark. That's having heart. Families shouldn't wait for days.
'If they knew there are people willing to help — divers, volunteers, even officers walking in the dark — they might have answers much sooner.'
Heredia also shared a video of himself making his way to the waterfall in the pouring rain and hail.
In it, he shows just how rough the terrain was for them to hike to and from the waterfall, while also adding that he has a bad ankle but still managed to make it.
He says: 'It's hailing like crazy, but we are here. We are on our way to dive. I am going to dive no matter what, but it's not going to be fun.'
His post added: 'Through shine or rain, through loss and pain, God led our path to bring them home again.'
The remaining three men that formed the group of six were evacuated via helicopter last Wednesday, Placer County Sheriff's Office said.
All three deceased men worked and volunteered for academic organization The International Circle of Genetic Studies.
A statement from the organization said: 'We regret to inform you that three of our advisors passed away last Wednesday June 18th, 2025 in ac accident near San Francisco.
'Their names are Dr. Mathew Schoenecker, Dr. Mathew Anthony and Val Creus, M.S. REQUIESCAM IN PACEM!!!! We give pour sympathy to their families.'
Search efforts were tampered by gusty winds and low visibility, drawing out the recovery process.
According to the Sheriff's Office, searching operations were suspended Thursday 'due to poor underwater visibility caused by debris and strong currents.'
A friend of Creus, Matt Meeks, posted a heartbreaking tribute about him on Facebook following his death.
He's remembered Creus as 'a true friend' who would 'always give advice.'
'As I reflect on his death, I can't think of a more fitting way for Val to go,' Meeks said, referring to a time his late friend told him how there was never air conditioning in universities in the Philippines.
When he walked into an air conditioned room years later, Creus 'laughed' and smiled at Meeks, he recalled.
'Just as Val walked into that cold, air-conditioned center as a young man on a hot day and said yes to the great spiritual river that would guide his life, he spent his final hours doing the same - walking alongside his friends on a hot day, jumping into cold water and letting the river over take him.'
Meeks added: 'Val died as he lived - riding that river all the way to Heaven alongside his friends. I sure do miss him.'
Schoenecker's sister Noel changed her profile picture on Facebook to an image of herself and her brother in tribute.
She said: 'Such unimaginable grief, I cannot even breathe.'
Placer County has advised against plunging into local ponds, lakes, and waterfalls for fear of incidents like this one.
According to their website, melting snow in northern California can leave water temperatures 'dangerously cold' even as the seasons change.
Placer County has warned individuals wishing to enjoy waterways to take extra precaution, regardless of the season.
Jumping into frigid waters can cause cold shock which results in 'a rapid loss of breathing control, increased heart rate and a gasp reflex', or hypothermia, a 'dangerous drop in body temperature that can lead to unconsciousness and even death.'
Both of these side effects make it more difficult to swim or breathe, leading to drowning in low-temperature waterways like Rattlesnake Falls.
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