Teen’s death hits Lynnwood students, staff hard

VERLOT — The teen who died after a fall at Mount Pilchuck Saturday was well-liked by his teachers and classmates at Lynnwood High School.

Lord Cedric Cunanan — Cedric to his friends — was 10 days shy of finishing his freshman year when a weekend outing took a tragic turn. Cedric, 15, had been scaling a rock wall when he plummeted about 30 feet onto a snow field Saturday afternoon.

Extra counselors were on hand Monday at Lynnwood High as well as Alderwood Middle School, which Cedric attended a year ago. Dozens of students at both schools wore red — his favorite color.

“This is a tragedy beyond words and many are reeling as they process the news,” Edmonds School District spokeswoman DJ Jakala said. “Our condolences go out to his family and all who knew him.”

It was a hard day for students on both campuses.

“He just made everybody feel valued and important,” said his eighth-grade English teacher, Rebecca Biddick. “He had a million friends. … He was always so enthusiastic about others’ success.”

Cedric, who was originally from the Philippines, had been hiking the popular Lake 22 trail with a group that included his friends and brother.

They had reached the lake and decided to explore the area, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Shari Ireton said.

By Monday, young people had filled Cedric’s social-media pages with personal messages of loss. On Facebook, he was described as a low-key friend, funny and outgoing. He liked to hang out and play basketball at North Lynnwood Park, also known as “Dragon Park.”

“He was the nicest person, always had your back,” one person wrote.

Biddick had Cedric in second-period English at Alderwood Middle School last year. Cedric was a new student who quickly made friends, joined the break-dancing club and showed a deep interest in social issues.

“He was the kind of kid who invited everyone into his life,” she said. “He just embraced everyone — the most non-judgmental kid I had ever seen.”

On Sunday, Biddick heard on Facebook from more than half Cedric’s former classmates. On Monday, nine high-school freshmen returned to room 20 at Alderwood Middle School to spend time with Biddick and share memories. All wore red.

Cedric himself had paid Biddick a visit recently to tell her he’d passed an end-of-course state exam and to thank his former teacher for helping him along the way.

Other teachers at both schools also had fond memories.

“Those who knew Lord Cedric knew him as loyal and devoted to his family and friends,” faculty from the schools wrote in a letter sent to parents Monday.

A sheriff’s office helicopter and Everett Mountain Rescue volunteers were dispatched to Lake 22 on Saturday evening. SnoHawk1 left Taylor’s Landing near Snohomish around 8:30 p.m. with about one hour of daylight to search.

The helicopter crew flew around the area three times before spotting two people. They were off the trail on the south side of the lake pointing up toward the snow line. The teen had been moved down the slope, and his location had been marked with a stick and a blue bandana.

Rescuers confirmed that the teen had died.

As darkness approached, the decision was made to return early Sunday morning rather than risk carrying him down the steep trail at night. He was flown to a landing zone at the Verlot Ranger Station early Sunday morning.

Lake 22 has long been a popular trail off the Mountain Loop Highway east of Granite Falls. It takes hikers through old-growth forest to a mountain lake.

It also can be dangerous.

In January 2008, a Mukilteo girl, 13, died in an avalanche while hiking with friends and an adult. Two other teens were able to dig their way out.

At this time of year, people need to be aware of fast-changing conditions, said Oyvind Henningsen, coordinator for the Snohomish County Search and Rescue helicopter rescue team.

People should be aware of weak snow bridges and the potential for slippery rocks and trails.

Popular trails in the Mount Pilchuck area can stay snowy even as summer starts in the lowlands, said Chris Moriarty, an Everett Mountain Rescue volunteer. Hikers should bring proper footwear and keep an eye on the time and the weather, he said.

Snow that is soft under the morning sun can quickly turn icy and slippery in the shade, he said.

Snow also can make it more difficult to follow the trail, and volunteers plan to put up some additional signs on the Mount Pilchuck summit trail to help those who have wandered.

“It’s difficult to give an exact date on when it will melt out, but it can stay snowed in for quite some time,” he said.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition championship robotics Team 2910 Jack in the Bot on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek robotics team celebrates world championship win

The team — known as “Jack in the Bot” — came in first place above about 600 others at a Texas world championship event last week.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

Snohomish firefighters appeal vaccine suspensions to Ninth Circuit

Despite lower court’s decision, eight men maintain their department did not properly accommodate their religious beliefs during COVID.

A rental sign seen in Everett. Saturday, May 23, 2020 (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases

Under a version released Thursday, rent hikes would be limited to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower.

A Mitsubishi Electric heat pump is installed on the wall of a home on Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Kicking Gas urges households to get in line for subsidies while funds last

The climate justice group has enough funding to aid 80 households with making the transition to heat pumps and electric ranges

Everett Fire Department’s color guard Jozef Mendoza, left, and Grady Persons, right, parade the colors at the end of the ceremony on Worker’s Memorial Day on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County officials honor Worker’s Memorial Day

Work-related injuries kill thousands of people nationwide every year.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.