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Marin Headlands Golden Gate National Recreation Area Fatality- Identity Released

The decedent has been positively identified as:                                                                        

Alexander Merritt LANG, a 36-year-old male  from Mill Valley, CA.

On Monday December 20, 2021, at approximately 10:00 AM, National Park Service (NPS) Rangers within the Marin Headlands Golden Gate National Recreation Area were alerted to a suspiciously abandoned vehicle parked in the middle of the roadway of the Point Bonita Lighthouse parking area.  Upon the NPS Rangers arrival, a search of the surrounding area was completed to locate the driver.  A NPS Ranger discovered - visualized an unresponsive subject at the bottom of a nearby cliff of the park within the surf of the ocean waters.  Multiple first responder personnel were requested to respond as the beach area where the subject was located was only accessible by water or air.    The rescue was complicated by weather and tidal conditions making it difficult to access the subject. A helicopter rescue was ultimately completed by the United States Coast Guard and the subject was airlifted to the Battery Mendell at Fort Berry in the Marin Headlands. Regrettably the subject appeared to have sustained multiple traumatic injuries consistent with a long fall and remained lifeless; his death was pronounced on the scene without resuscitative aid provided.

The decedent has been positively identified as:                                                                           

Alexander Merritt LANG, a 36-year-old male  from Mill Valley, CA. A forensic post mortem examination with toxicology testing was completed on Tuesday December 21, 2021.  The cause and manner of death will be pending the conclusion of the investigations being completed by the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Division.  No further information will be released by the Coroner Division at this time, as this is an active and ongoing investigation.  Any further questions regarding the incident should be directed to the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office and personnel of the Coroner Division offers our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Lang.

CONTACT

Roger G. Fielding

Chief Deputy Coroner

415-473-6043

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