'She nearly made it out': Police find body believed to be missing San Diego hiker

Search crews found the body of a woman believed to be 50-year-old Diem Le Nguyen Monday after the mother of three vanished while hiking in San Diego on Sunday with a group of 100 people, according to authorities.

Using helicopter search and rescue efforts, a deceased body was found about quarter-of-a-mile from reaching a nearby street at 9:15 a.m. local time on Monday, said San Diego Police Department's public information officer Lt. Daniel Meyer in a press conference Monday.

"She nearly made it out,” said Meyer.

Family members are shocked by her death.

“It was really sad because losing someone is not easy,“ William Dom, a member of Nguyen's family, told NBC 7.

“She is very careful. Everything she does. I am surprised to see she ran out of water," said Dom. "She always prepares well for what she is doing."

USA TODAY reached out to the San Diego Police Department regarding the incident.

Fundraiser turned into a tragedy

The group hiking trip was created to raise money for "Build a School Foundation," to build schools in Southeast Asia, reports CBS 8.

"With great sadness, we share with you the worst nightmare of someone who tried to make this world a better place, but suffered the tragic loss of one of us fellow Vietnamese Americans," said the foundation in a Facebook post. "Our hearts are sadden with Diem's family and loved ones."

What happened?

Nguyen hiked up the Night Hawk Trail on Sunday with a group of around 100 people, said Meyer at an earlier press conference.

The following is what occurred on Sunday, according to the officer:

• 8 a.m.: Nguyen began hiking with a group of around 100 people. The group consisted of many family and friends. Halfway up the mountain, the group decided to return to the base. Nguyen separated and continued towards the peak.
• 10:08 a.m.: Nguyen called her family in distress and told them she was "very hot and needed water." This was the last time her family heard from her.
• 11:30 a.m.: SFPD responded to the call and identified Nguyen as a missing person at risk. The environment, heat index and her distress call played a factor in classifying her.

The search went into the night and continued on Monday until a body was found.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz