Man accused of murder on Columbia River Gorge hike in 2009

HOOD RIVER, Ore. — A hiker has been charged with murder in the death of a woman who fell from a trail six years ago in the Columbia River Gorge.

At the time, authorities said Rhonda Casto, 23, fell 100 feet to her death from the Eagle Creek Trail just west of Cascade Locks.

“The trail is very steep and narrow there, and it’s been pretty wet and slippery,” Hood River County sheriff’s Deputy Matt English told The Oregonian in 2009. “There was still snow on the ground down near the parking lot.”

She fell down a steep section of trail pitted with wire cables and pipe handrails, which help hikers navigate the narrow, slippery terrain. She was about a mile from the trailhead.

On Thursday, Stephen Wagner Nichols, 40, of Bend was arrested at San Francisco International Airport. He was booked into the Northern Oregon Region Corrections Facility the next day and arraigned. He is being held without bail.

An indictment and arrest warrant were issued in April, Hood River County officials said.

Authorities have not disclosed details of the killing or a motive.

Nichols’ lawyer, Michael Arnold of Eugene, did not immediately return a call.

Casto was one of four hikers who either fell or died of exposure on Columbia River Gorge trails from fall 2008 through spring 2009.