Hiker finds remains of missing O.C. student

A hiker Thursday discovered the remains of a college student whose July 2006 disappearance launched a massive search after he left notes stating his intention to commit suicide.

San Bernardino County coroner’s officials identified the remains Friday as those of Landon Jordan Orcutt, 21, of Colorado, a religious studies student at Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University.

The hiker found Orcutt’s remains east of the Big Bear dam off Highway 18. Orcutt vanished July 2, 2006. He left a note for a friend saying he planned to take his life by jumping off the dam, officials said.

Sheriff’s officials conducted extensive search and rescue efforts. Five days after his disappearance, authorities found a second suicide note in Orcutt’s car in Big Bear.