New Zealand-born and L.A.-based composer Mark Smythe, 53, died last Saturday, following a medical emergency on the Mount Wilson hiking trail near Los Angeles.

The L.A. Coroner’s office reported that the cause of death was cardiovascular disease.

• https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-05-11/mark-smythe-mt-wilson-death-composer

A talented composer with a masters in screen composition from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, Smythe was nominated for an SCL Award and a World Soundtrack Award for his score for Hulu’s “The Reef: Stalked” in 2023.

Among his other composing credits were horror movie “The Possessed,” rom-com “Love You Like That,” horror movie “Boar” and war adventure “Unfallen.”

He was selected as a Composer Fellow for the 2024 Choral Arts Initiative PREMIERE|Project Festival, which included the premiere of his “Song of the Sea – Part I” for choir and electric guitar.

He also served as COO of the Society of Composers and Lyricists for several years, and taught media composition at Cal State University, Northridge, also serving as Department Head of Composing for Visual Media at Los Angeles College of Music.

 

RIP, but as we all know Death will come for all of us, we are only alloted a certain amount of time regardless of who we are, age, health, status or any other factors. The majority don't know or even realize just how much of their allotment is still remaining.
A lucky few of us may be and aware of this and it gives us a little time to prepare and say our goodbyes to those most important in our lives, some of you may consider this unlucky but it is a blessing and a gift so that must value for every iota that is left, until we inevitably must leave.

 

Last edited: May 28, 2026 at 10:32 AM

Rest In Peace Mark Smythe

 

Cantilenae 03 Nox Noctis

More: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2BnZ8CeIPaiS7G-7GpAHMA

His sister Kate Ward-Smythe said in a post on social media, that he collapsed and passed away suddenly whilst hiking with friends on Mount Wilson in LA, on Saturday. According to his obituary, Smythe was 53 when he passed away after an unexpected cardiac event.

 

I'm 70 next month and happily outliving many of my contemporaries.
I credit my longevity to music, drugs, alcohol and 13 trips to Amsterdam