Lakeside hiker found dead on El Cajon Mountain is identified

File photo: El Capitan County Preserve hiking trail

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2026 (Lakeside) – The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office has identified a hiker who died on El Cajon Mountain in the El Capitan County Preserve on March 22 as Johnathan L. Gorbea, 40, of Lakeside.

Gorbea’s family reported him missing on Sunday morning, after he failed to return from a hike he’d left for on Saturday morning.

The Sheriff’s search and rescue team launched a large-scale search including deputies on the ground, a helicopter, and 60 to 70 volunteers, Times of San Diego reports.

His body was located near one of the hiking trails just east of the trailhead around 7:30 p.m. Sunday night.

The Medical Examiner has not yet determined his cause of death, pending an autopsy.