William Hasley, a prolific author and screenwriter, was identified as the hiker discovered deceased on Saturday near Runyon Canyon in Los Angeles. He was 78 years old.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has confirmed his identity, though an official cause of death remains pending further investigation. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area at approximately 7:05 p.m. on June 6 following reports of a hiker in grave condition. Despite the deployment of a helicopter and the efforts of more than two dozen responders to provide urgent medical care, Hasley could not be saved.
Hasley, a native of Pittsburgh, enjoyed a multifaceted career in the entertainment industry. He was perhaps best known for co-writing Finding the Champion Within with Caitlyn Jenner, a self-help book that outlined a 10-step program for personal transformation. Hasley previously noted that he and Jenner became close friends while collaborating on an Olympics-related project.
Beyond his literary work, Hasley was a dedicated television writer. His extensive credits include writing for The Smurfs during the late 1980s and early 1990s, as well as episodes of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. His portfolio also featured contributions to series such as Murder, She Wrote, Kung Fu, Young Riders, and Highway to Heaven. Throughout his career, he wrote screenplays for major studios, including Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers, and 20th Century Fox.
Hasley was previously married to actress Robin Riker. Outside of his professional life, he was known for his diverse interests, which included golfing, horseback riding, and volunteering at local soup kitchens. He also shared his expertise with students at UCLA, where he taught the craft of writing, often describing the process as a puzzle that required patience and persistence.
A neighbor, who recalled seeing Hasley carrying groceries home earlier on the day of the incident, expressed sorrow over the loss, noting the tragedy of his passing. Hasley resided in the Hollywood Hills, in close proximity to the canyon where he suffered the fatal medical emergency.