Tragic End To Search For Ventura Man Missing On Santa Barbara County Hike

Thursday September 08, 2022

(Photos courtesy SBCFPIO)

     Updated--A tragic end to the search for a Ventura man missing on a hike with his girlfriend in Santa Barbara County last weekend.

     The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office says the body of 29-year-old Tim Sgrignoli was found Thursday morning around 9:30 AM between the Trespass Trail and Highway 101 in the Gaviota area.

     Sheriff's officials say foul play is not suspected.

     They believe the extreme heat was a factor in his death but an exact cause of death is pending.

      Sgrignoli and his girlfriend were hiking the Trespass Trail/Gaviota area in 114-degree heat Sunday when he gave her his cell phone and went to get help for her.

     She was suffering from heat exhaustion.

     After he left, she was located ultimately rescued in a helicopter hoist operation (see photo).

     But Sgrignoli went missing, prompting a massive ground and air search that lasted four days before the sad discovery.

     Some 60 personnel from several agencies including search dogs, helicopters, drones, off road vehicles and dozens of other people on foot were involved in the search.