​OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF

COUNTY OF INYO

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 15, 2025

​MEDIA CONTACTS:

Community Relations Liaison Lindsey Stine, (760) 878-8576

​Inyo County Sheriff’s Office Recovers Deceased Individual on Mt. Whitney

​On November 12, 2025, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible deceased individual on Mt. Whitney. Due to the remote and hazardous location and multiple storms that moved in just after, recovery operations were further complicated and required extensive planning and coordination over several weeks.

​On December 15, 2025, following multiple helicopter-assisted and ground operations, the deceased individual was successfully recovered.

​Formal identification is pending with the Inyo County Coroner’s Office. We will release further information as it becomes available. While identification is pending, we recognize the difficulty of this situation and extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

​The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office is aware that the public knows of the reported missing person in the area. Still, we caution anyone from making conclusions until positive identification is made.

​The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office sincerely acknowledges the extraordinary support and dedication of Inyo County Search and Rescue, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Placer County Sheriff’s Office Avalanche Dog Team, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Mono County Search and Rescue, the California Highway Patrol Air Operations, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit, whose expertise and commitment were invaluable in completing this challenging recovery.

​######