Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies received a report on Friday of a suspicious vehicle that’s been parked near the Hot Springs Trailhead since Monday, August 13. The driver of the vehicle was reportedly seen walking up the trailhead.
The registered driver, Newhall resident Wayne Habell, was listed as an at-risk missing person out of Los Angeles County.
Sheriff’s deputies, the Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit and search and rescue members searched the area extensively but were unable to locate Mr. Habell due to low visibility.
The search resumed early Saturday morning. By 6 p.m. Saturday, a man’s body was located in the canyon. The body was taken to the Santa Barbara County Coroner’s Office to determine the man’s identity and the cause and manner of death.
