(L.A.) Michael Kocabay, 20, Died on a Hiking Trail

Case Number: 2025-17705

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 20-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred on a hiking trail.

The coroner’s office identified the young man as Michael Kocabay.

Manner of Death: Suicide

Cause of Death: Presumed Sodium Nitrite Toxicity

RIP MICHAEL VARTAN KOCABAY (June 10, 2005 – November 11, 2025)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Tuesday afternoon.

The decedent was a CSUN student who had been missing since late September.