The Ventura County Sheriff’s office located the body of a Moorpark College student who had been declared missing on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

On Feb. 2, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the body to be that of Zachary Zernik, a 22-year-old Moorpark College wrestling student who had left for the Wendy Potrero Trailhead on Saturday, Jan. 28.

According to Sheriff Commander Jeremy Paris, the body was discovered near the Mount Boney area at the West end of the Santa Monica Mountains.

The search effort for Zernik involved search dogs, sheriff’s helicopters and community volunteers. The Ventura County Sheriff’s department released a statement to the public following the body’s discovery.

“It is with great sadness that at about 9am, Zachary Zernik was located deceased in Boney Mountain State Wilderness Park,” the department stated in a tweet.

After Zernick had left for the Wendy hiking trail, he sent his friends a picture of himself on top of rocky terrain. According to an interview Paris gave to the Ventura County Star, the location details of the picture had helped authorities narrow their search area and locate Zernik’s body.

While hikers on All Trails have described the popular Wendy Trail in Newbury Park as an easy and peaceful hike, the Santa Monica Mountains feature rocky and rugged terrain that can pose risks to inexperienced hikers or those who hike alone.

Zernik was an experienced hiker, earning himself the rank of Eagle Scout in 2019. While an Eagle scout, Zernik hiked Eagle Scout Peak and the Trans Sierra. By 2019, he had hiked 398 miles and volunteered 199 hours solely hiking, according to the Acorn.

Zernick, a sophomore wrestler who came out of Thousand Oaks High School, recently competed at the California Community College Athletic Association State wrestling tournament. Zernik had reached the tournament’s quarterfinals before being ranked 8th in the state.

Moorpark College Wrestling Head Coach Lindley Kistler had mentored Zernick for two years. Kistler described Zernick as hardworking, dedicated and passionate. Kister also expressed that his loss has affected not only the wrestling team but also Moorpark athletics as a whole.

“When a team wins at Moorpark College, we all win just like a family, and a loss is no different,” Kistler said. “The wrestling team and I are just like a family, so we lost a loved one, friend and one less great person in the world.”

Moorpark College athletics released a statement via Twitter following news of Zernik’s passing.

“Prayers and condolences going out to the Zernik Family during this difficult time,” the tweet stated.

The Ventura County Medical’s Office has not released the cause of Zernik’s death; however, the Ventura County Sheriff twitter account stated there is no evidence of crime or foul play.

The Zernik family has yet to make a public statement.

A celebration of life for Zernik is behind held at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Cultural Center in Newbury Park, according to Kyle Jorrey, the editor for the Thousand Oaks Acorn. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, February 13.