Community update: Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California is mourning the death of student-athlete Carter Bradford, who the school community says died in an accident on December 7, 2025.
Carter was a junior in the Class of 2026 and participated in the school’s cross-country and track and field programs.
School officials and people close to the family have confirmed his passing. No additional details about the circumstances have been publicly released, and the community has emphasized privacy for the family.
Coaches and teammates have remembered Carter as dedicated and hardworking, noting his continued growth as an athlete within a competitive program.
Carter was from Coto de Caza and was described by those who knew him as balancing school life with athletics.
He is survived by his parents and an older brother, Nicholas Bradford, a 2023 graduate of Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Community members say the brothers shared a close connection through school and sports.
The school has said it plans to honor Carter’s memory in the coming days, and that grief-support resources are available for students and staff.
