Tarantino film editor dies on hike in LA hills

Academy Award-nominated film editor Sally Menke died Monday allegedly from complications suffered while hiking in the extreme heat in Los Angeles.

Assistant coroner Ed Winter confirmed today that the body found along a Griffith Park trail was 56-year-old Sally Menke, who edited every Quentin Tarantino film from Reservoir Dogs in 1992 to Inglourious Basterds last year.

Menke, 56, and a hiking buddy set out around 9 a.m. to hike a trail in Bronson Canyon, and an hour later, Menke's partner decided to turn back. Menke and her Labrador retriever continued on. When she did not return home, Menke's friends and family alerted local authorities late that afternoon that she was missing.

Shortly thereafter, a search party was sent out that included dogs, an LAPD helicopter and officers from patrol units, who spent hours in Griffith Park searching for her. The body was found along a remote Beachwood Canyon hiking trail. Her black Labrador retriever was nearby.

The cause of death has not been determined, but Winter says there is no sign of foul play. He would not disclose details or speculate whether heat may been a factor in her death.

Menke had gone hiking on Monday, when temperatures in Los Angeles peaked at 113F (45C).

Menke was a longtime friend and editor for Quentin Tarantino, having edited all his films, as well as "All the Pretty Horses" for director/actor Billy Bob Thornton.

Tarantino, who was scheduled for a roast at the Friars Club on Friday, has reportedly canceled the event due to Menke's death.