Jacob Manders, a 2019 graduate of Cherry Hill High School East, has died following a hiking accident in Los Angeles.

Manders went hiking on Sunday, November 17, 2024 when he was reported missing. A search turned up the body of a 23-year-old White/Caucasian male who the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office identified as Jacob Manders.

The cause of death was blunt head trauma and the manner of death was an accident after falling off the side of a hill. Formal pronouncement of death was made on Monday at 9:17 a.m. by Coroner-Investigator: Kimberley Arnold.

Jacob Manders, of Cherry Hill, graduated Duke University in 2023. He was working as a mechanical and aerospace engineer at Relativity Space in Long Beach, CA at the time of his death. His family said he loved hiking, camping, yoga, learning and sports. Above all, he loved spending time with family and friends.

Jake is survived by his his parents, Ronda and Steve, and siblings, Hannah, Joshua and his beloved dog Colonel.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, November 21st, beginning 9:00 AM at PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS, Inc. in Cherry Hill, NJ. Shiva will be observed at the home of Ronda & Steve Manders immediately after the burial with a shiva minyan at 7:00 pm. Shiva will also be held on Friday, November 22nd from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Friends and families left tributes to Jacob and the impact he had made in their lives.

One tribute said: “I am so sorry for your loss. Jacob was a true beacon of warmth and kindness for the Jewish community at Duke. He will be dearly missed,”

Another tribute read: “Jacob made the world a better place by serving as an amazing example of how to treat others. When you spoke to Jacob, he had an uncanny way of ensuring you felt valued and heard, even without saying a word,”