Burned Body Found Near Mount Wilson Fire Identified

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA – The charred remains of a body found near the Mount Wilson Fire have been identified by coroner's officials as Matthew Huerta, a Sylmar teen who was reported missing by his family members last week. The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office identified the body as Matthew Huerta, Los Angeles police said Wednesday. His cause of death was not confirmed, according to CBS Los Angeles.

Huerta disappeared on Oct. 17, which was the same day a brush fire burned 50 acres in the area, according to KTLA. Friends searching for Huerta used the Find My Friends application to trace his phone to the mountains near Pasadena, but weren't able to go to the area as firefighters were battling the fire.

The Los Angeles Police Department released a photo and description of Huerta after he went missing and asked for help finding him, and said his family was concerned for his safety because he was suicidal, according to Los Angeles Times. Coroner's officials said they had scheduled an autopsy for Wednesday to determine how he died.

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Photo via Los Angeles Police Department