- Feb 5, 2002
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‘They were the most normal people in the world. And yet, the way they died, was two of them tried to save the life of the other one. It was heroic. And yet for them that was normal.’
(L-R) Matt Schoenecker, Valentino Creus, and Matt Anthony tragically died during a hiking trip in California on June 18, 2025. (photo: Courtesy photo / Opus Dei )
The hikers could just barely hear Val Creus’ cries of distress over the roar of Rattlesnake Falls.
Moments before, the 59-year-old had jumped off a ledge near the scenic cascade in the northern California wilderness for a refreshing plunge.
Now, somewhere in the frigid water 20 feet below them, he was in trouble.
Matt Schoenecker didn’t hesitate. An avid biker and climber who also was a skilled high-platform diver, the 50-year-old leader of the outdoor excursion raced to the same ledge and dove in after Creus. Then another member of the group, Matt Anthony, 44, did the same.
Tragically, all three men — who were well-known members of the Opus Dei organization — lost their lives that afternoon.
The triple-drowning on June 18 made national news. But friends of the much-loved men are seeing more than just a worldly tragedy. Some are calling their deaths a life-changing event for them with a deeply religious dimension.
Continued below.
www.ncregister.com
The hikers could just barely hear Val Creus’ cries of distress over the roar of Rattlesnake Falls.
Moments before, the 59-year-old had jumped off a ledge near the scenic cascade in the northern California wilderness for a refreshing plunge.
Now, somewhere in the frigid water 20 feet below them, he was in trouble.
Matt Schoenecker didn’t hesitate. An avid biker and climber who also was a skilled high-platform diver, the 50-year-old leader of the outdoor excursion raced to the same ledge and dove in after Creus. Then another member of the group, Matt Anthony, 44, did the same.
Tragically, all three men — who were well-known members of the Opus Dei organization — lost their lives that afternoon.
The triple-drowning on June 18 made national news. But friends of the much-loved men are seeing more than just a worldly tragedy. Some are calling their deaths a life-changing event for them with a deeply religious dimension.
Continued below.
Tragedy at Rattlesnake Falls: Opus Dei Mourns the Drowning of Three of Its Members
‘They were the most normal people in the world. And yet, the way they died, was two of them tried to save the life of the other one. It was heroic. And yet for them that was normal.’
