Man who died on Mt. Wilson identified as film and TV composer Mark Smythe, 53
Key takeaways
- Wilson claimed the life of a man identified as New Zealand-born, L.A.-based composer Mark Smythe.
- Smythe died Saturday at 53 after suffering a cardiac emergency on a hiking trail, according to the coroner’s online database.
- The Sierra Madre Police Department said Saturday that a man — at that point unidentified — died after having a medical emergency on the trail and that no foul play was suspected.
Mark Smythe, a New Zealand-born musician based in Los Angeles, died Saturday while hiking Mt. Wilson. The 53-year-old film and TV composer suffered a cardiac emergency. (Jerod Harris / Getty Images) By Christie D’Zurilla Assistant Editor, Fast Break Desk Follow May 11, 2026 4:41 PM PT 5 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
The most recent death on Mt. Wilson claimed the life of a man identified as New Zealand-born, L.A.-based composer Mark Smythe. Following the tragedy, his colleagues and family poured out their hearts as they remembered a man they called smart, funny and a true supporter of his peers.
Smythe died Saturday at 53 after suffering a cardiac emergency on a hiking trail, according to the coroner’s online database. His cause of death was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, in which plaque builds up in arterial walls and can lead to a heart attack.