Body found in Big Tujunga Canyon identified as missing Turkish engineer

The body of a man discovered by hikers in Big Tujunga Canyon late last month has been identified as missing Turkish engineer Ertug Ergun, officials said.

Ergun, who worked in Bakersfield, was reported missing by his supervisor on June 20. His car was found two days later near the Stonyvale Picnic area.

More than 60 people spent a collective 600 hours searching for the 33-year-old on horseback, by helicopter, on foot, or off-road motorcycles, according to Sgt. Burton Brink of Montrose Search and Rescue.

On June 30, hikers stumbled upon Ergun’s body at Vasquez Creek and contacted the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.

Capt. Mike Parker stated in a report that the body was in a hard to reach area with heavy brush. Deputies recovered Ergun’s body the next day.

--Kelly Corrigan, Times Community News