Update, 11.16.12: The man who died was 24-year-old Jonathan Mendiola Urbina from San Pablo, and he died after falling off a rock while hiking with friends, according to a report in the Chronicle.
Urbina was on Grizzly Peak Blvd “enjoying the area and drinking” with two cousins and two friends when he and one of his friends wandered away from the group, said Capt. Margo Bennett of UC Berkeley police.
Urbina decided to climb up on a large rock. Evidence suggests he died from the fall
Original story: A man was found dead about 200-250 feet downhill of Grizzly Peak Boulevard on UC Berkeley campus property Wednesday evening, Nov. 14, after being reported missing by a friend earlier in the day.
According to UCPD Lt. Alex Yao, at about 6:29 p.m. UCPD received a call from the California Highway Patrol informing the department of a report received about a missing person. UCPD offered to help in the search, and officers found the missing man downhill of Grizzly Peak Boulevard near Signpost 15.
The young man, who was in his 20s, was identified by the friend who had reported him missing. The Berkeley Fire Department declared him deceased at 7:22 p.m.
“There is no indication of foul play and the investigation is in the very preliminary stages,” Lt. Yao told Berkeleyside. The victim was not affiliated with UC Berkeley.
The case is being treated as an unattended death. There were no vehicles involved. A large rock was found close to the victim and one line of inquiry centers on the possibility that the deceased was the victim of a fall.
The location where the victim was found is in UC Berkeley’s jurisdiction and is in the city of Oakland.
Police are investigating the case and we will provide updates pending any developments.
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