Renowned Composer Mark Smythe Dies on California Mountain Trail
Mark Smythe, a 53-year-old composer known for his work on horror movies and concert music, tragically died while hiking on the Mount Wilson Trail in Sierra Madre, California. On May 9, a rescue team responded to reports of an unresponsive hiker, later identified as Smythe, who was pronounced dead at the scene despite CPR efforts by friends and family. This incident marks the second hiker death on the trail this month. Smythe, originally from New Zealand, was a respected figure in the music community, serving as the chair for the Composing for Visual Media Department and receiving a nomination for an SCL Award for his work on 'The Reef: Stalked'. Tributes have poured in from colleagues and friends, highlighting his passion for music and dedication to his students.