MARIN COUNTY, Calif. — A Marin County family and community are mourning the sudden loss of 17-year-old Aaron Baten, who tragically died in a hiking accident at the Marin Headlands on August 11, 2025.
According to a GoFundMe campaign created to support his family, Aaron was doing something he loved when the fatal accident occurred — hiking the rugged trails of the Marin Headlands. While the exact details remain under investigation, local reports indicate that Aaron fell from a cliff. Despite efforts to save him, he did not survive the fall.
A Life Cut Short
Aaron, a rising senior at San Rafael High School, is remembered by friends, teachers, and coworkers as a vibrant and hardworking young man. Known for his kindness and laughter, he had a way of lifting the spirits of everyone around him.
The GoFundMe page described Aaron as someone who “touched countless hearts with his kindness, laughter, and dreams for the future.” His family, including his two sisters and parents, are now facing the unimaginable pain of losing him so young.
Loved at Work and in the Community
Aaron was also well-known in the Marin community through his jobs. For the past two years, he had worked at Boichik Bagels in Larkspur, where his presence left a lasting mark.
In a tribute shared on Instagram, the bagel shop expressed heartbreak at the news of his death:
“We are deeply saddened about the tragic death of 17-year-old Aaron Baten, our much-loved team member of two years at Larkspur.”
Aaron also worked at The Shack, a popular ice cream shop in Larkspur. His former coworkers and customers remembered him with warmth and admiration:
“Aaron was the hardest working, happiest employee and teammate at The Shack. The kids loved him, the team loved him, and the customers adored him! He had the best energy and always looked like he was having fun, even after hours of working. We are so sorry for your loss.”
Community Mourning
The Marin Independent Journal reported that Aaron was preparing for his senior year, filled with aspirations and dreams for the future. His death has devastated classmates and teachers who expected to see him walking the halls of San Rafael High School once more.
While investigators continue to look into the exact circumstances of the accident, the community has rallied around Aaron’s grieving family. Vigils, tributes, and an outpouring of support on social media reflect the impact he had on those who knew him.
Remembering Aaron
Aaron’s death is not only a heartbreaking loss for his family but also for the wider Marin community. He is remembered as a beloved son, brother, teammate, coworker, and friend, whose light was extinguished far too soon.
As one friend shared, “Aaron lived life with joy, and even though his time here was short, he left behind a legacy of kindness and love.”