Community Mourns Ex-NFLer, Filmmaker Killed In Riverside County Plunge

IDYLLWILD, CA — Coaches, friends and family today are mourning the loss of two Orange County residents killed while rock climbing near Idyllwild this week. Former NFLer Gavin Escobar, 31, and fellow hiker Chelsea Walsh, 33, died while climbing near Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout in the Idyllwild area Wednesday.

Those who knew Escobar shared their sorrow at his passing over social media posts.

Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Brad McGirr reflected on Escobar's life in a Facebook post.

"Gavin was a 2008 graduate of Santa Margarita Christian High School." According to the Santa Margarita High School alumni page, Escobar saw much success on the field and went on to play for San Diego State. During his NFL career, he played for the Dallas Cowboys, the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs.

"He was a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft and played tight end for the Dallas Cowboys from 2013 to 2016," according to the Santa Margarita High School Alumni website. "He had 30 receptions and eight touchdowns during his career."

The Cowboys posted a photo of Escobar on the team's social media channels Thursday with the caption, "Forever in our hearts."

Escobar enjoyed climbing, according to social media posts, and was also a Long Beach firefighter.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the off-duty death of Long Beach Firefighter Gavin Escobar," the Long Beach Fire Department shared on Facebook. "Hired on February 5, 2022, Firefighter Escobar was assigned to Fire Station 3 on B-shift."

He is survived by his wife Sarah and two young daughters, Josey and Charlotte, according to SDSU Head Coach Brady Hoke's statement to NBC San Diego.

Chelsea Walsh of Huntington Beach was an avid climber and cinematographer. She was known to have climbed with both Escobar and his wife, according to her social media pages. Walsh, a graduate of Chapman Universitiy, was most recently the cinematographer for a documentary series focusing on hikers with eating disorders, she also worked on the RoadTrips documentary series.

Walsh's uncle commented on her loss over his Facebook page, saying:

"I'm sure everyone has heard about the passing of Gavin Escobar in a climbing accident recently. What hasn't been covered much in the news is the other climber. Her name is Chelsea Walsh she was a brilliant filmmaker and artist and my niece. We recently got together on my boat and spoke of the future. I'm gonna miss you Chels. Love you, hope you and your Mom are watching over us. My heart breaks."

Hiking Accident Still Being Investigated

Riverside County Sheriff's Department officials said Escobar and Walsh died while climbing the rock face. However, details on how the fall occurred remain under investigation. Their deaths appear to be a "complete accident," according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Brandi Swan.

Two witnesses spotted the victims and called 911, managing to get marginal mobile phone reception in the remote area and it is unknown if they were in the same hiking group as Escobar and Walsh.

Multiple engine crews and a sheriff's helicopter crew were sent to the location to mount a search-and-rescue operation, according to a Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire spokesperson.

Emergency officials were able to hike the steep trail and located the victims by 1:20 p.m.

Both Escobar and Walsh were pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheriff's deputies are investigating the climbing incident.