Body found during search of missing hiker, presumably Diem Le Nguyen, 50, on Montagne Noire

Search and rescue teams searching for a lost hiker on Black Mountain over the weekend discovered a body Monday believed to be that of the missing woman.

Diem Le Nguyen, 50, left with a large group of people on a hillside hiking trail near Oviedo Way in Rancho Penasquitos around 8 a.m. Sunday, according to San Diego police.

After reaching about halfway up the mountain, Nguyen's companions decided to turn around and head back down, but she opted to continue toward the summit, SDPD public affairs Lt. Dan Meyer told reporters.

Later that morning, a family member received a phone call from Nguyen “expressing distress,” Meyer said.

“She was extremely hot and needed water,” the lieutenant said.

Police and sheriff's personnel searched for Nguyen on foot and in patrol helicopters, also using service dogs and drones. Efforts continued throughout the afternoon and evening before ending for the night around 1 a.m. Monday, Meyer said. The search resumed approximately six hours later.

A helicopter crew spotted the body around 9 a.m. Monday, about a quarter-mile from the intersection of Carmel Mountain Road and Via Rimini.

Given the proximity of neighboring neighborhoods, it appears Nguyen “almost got away with it,” Meyer said.

The county medical examiner's office took custody of the body for autopsy purposes.

–City press service