The most recent death in Mount Wilson claimed the life of a man identified as New Zealand-born, LA-based songwriter Mark Smythe. Following the tragedy, his colleagues and family poured out their hearts as they remembered a man they called smart, funny and a true fan of his peers.
Smythe died Saturday at the age of 53 after suffering a heart attack while hiking, according to the coroner's website. The cause of his death was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, where plaque accumulates on the walls of blood vessels and can lead to a heart attack.
The Sierra Madre Police Department said Saturday that a man – who was not identified at the time – died after a roadside emergency and no foul play was suspected. First responders arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. and rendered aid but were unable to save his life.
Smythe has been head of the Composing for Visual Media department at Los Angeles Music College since last summer, according to his website. Among other honors, he was nominated for the 2023 Society of Composers and Lyricists award for his work on the film “The Reef: Stalked.”
Kate Ward-Smythe, the composer's sister, confirmed his death on Sunday afternoon on Facebook.
“It is comforting to know that he was doing one of the things he loved, hiking, and we are thankful for his good friends (and the emergency services) who tried so hard to wake him up,” he wrote.
“Mark was a bigger than life connector in LA, as a professor, composer, musician, and loyal friend. He was very talented, and had a lot of fun playing music and recording in many genres .. he was just starting out and had a lot to give .. We are saddened and trying to process this tragedy of Mark, as are all friends of the family.”
Bear McCreary, known for scoring TV series including “Outlander,” “The Walking Dead,” “Black Sails” and “Snowpiercer” and movies including “Happy Death Day,” “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” and Blumhouse's “Fantasy Island,” called the news of Smythe's death “pretty bad and just talked about a few parties ago.”
“Mark's enthusiasm and sense of humor were missing,” McCreary wrote Sunday on Instagram. “He brought a shark in a bow on the red carpet at the SCL Awards when he was nominated for his work in the shark movie – sweet! When he found out I was writing a metal album, he chose his favorite German folk metal bands for me (opening for his favorite band, Finsterforst).”
Having said that he always thought he would get to know Smythe better one day, McCreary called his death “a stark reminder to spend time with the people you care about when you can't.”
John Massari, who has more than 150 musical compositions ranging from “Little House on the Prairie” and contributed music to TV series including “Dancing with the Stars,” “Hidden Stars” and “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” commented that “Mark was a bright light and a breath of fresh air in our community. He is greatly missed.”
“I am so saddened by the loss of my friend. Mark, I miss you and love you. Thank you for your love, passion, humor, and joy and for always making me feel loved and known,” singer Baraka May, whose voice can be heard in Avatar: Fire and Ash, “Wicked: For Good” and “Beavis and Butt-Head,” wrote Monday on Instagram.
“He was funny and quick and smart, yet when we worked together, he just melted into the music and flowed like a fan with a childlike wonder. What an amazing heart and mind!” wrote the singer. “I had the privilege of working with him in three of his wonderful works as a conductor, and I loved his youthful joy, genuine joy and excitement even in our lessons. He wrote and expressed his music well, which often sounded haunting, romantic, deep, and sensitive, and his bass playing was very beautiful and thoughtful. He was a clear, energetic, passionate musician.”
The Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive also mourned the loss, saying online that “Mark was a brilliant talent and a true friend to all, a true pillar of our scoring community.
“In a time of crisis, Mark joined our new music project 2020 to support a new song for our music community at a time of great uncertainty and when many traditional pieces are not being performed.”
The Hollywood Music in Media Awards recalled Smythe winning a career-promoting award at the organization's 2013 ceremony, shortly after arriving in LA from New Zealand.
“He quickly built a distinguished body of work in film, shorts, and television, received multiple HMMA nominations, served as COO of the Composers and Songwriters Association, and returned to present at the 2018 HMMA Gala,” the organization wrote. “Mark's talent and generosity enriched our community – he will be greatly missed.”
Smythe's death was the second this month in Mount Wilson. On May 3, a man identified as John McIntyre, 66, was pronounced dead on the same trail after falling into a canyon on Mt. Wilson Road and the Little Santa Anita firebreak in the Sierra Madre. The cause of his death was severe injuries.
