Missing UCLA student killed in avalanche, authorities say

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A 25-year-old UCLA student who went missing earlier this month after texting his roommate that he was going to the eastern Sierra Nevada area was found dead in Inyo County, the apparent victim of an avalanche, authorities said Monday.

Michael David Meyers, an experienced hiker and climber who had previously gone on multi-day excursions alone, sent a text to his roommate on Nov. 5 indicating he was going to Mount Russell in Inyo National Park, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Last Wednesday, the LAPD put out a call for public help to find Meyers.

On Saturday, Meyers' body was found Saturday in an area called the John Muir Wilderness, according to the Inyo County coroner's office. The cause of death is under investigation, but Los Angeles police said some of Meyers' belongings were found in an avalanche debris field.

A statement issued by UCLA expressed "deepest condolences to all of Michael's family and friends.'' Counseling resources were being offered to those in the campus community impacted by Meyers' death, according to the university.

Mount Russell, with an elevation of 14,094 feet, is located northwest of Lone Pine and 14,494-foot Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 U.S. states.