SHERIFF’S VOLUNTEER SEARCH TEAM FINDS WOMAN HIKER LOST FOR TWO DAYS NEAR LAKE MORENA

Source: San Diego Sheriff’s Department

October 27, 2024 (Campo) – The San Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers have found and rescued a woman who was lost in San Diego's backcountry for almost two days.

On Saturday, October 26, just before 2 p.m., deputies with the Sheriff's Rural Enforcement Division received a call from the family of a 50-year-old woman. They told deputies they had not heard from the woman since she had sent a text message to family members around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, October 25 stating that she was about to start a hike near the Lake Morena campground in Campo, says Lt. Jeff Ford.

As deputies began their investigation, they were informed by San Diego County Parks and Recreation that the woman had missed her checkout time at her cabin near Lake Morena. Her personal belongings were also still in the cabin. A short time later, the woman's vehicle was located near a trailhead in the area.

Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit volunteers were called into the area to search for the missing woman. A Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter searched for the woman from above. San Diego County Parks and Recreation began searching the trail with an off-road vehicle, while the U.S. Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue Unit (BORSTAR) team deployed a two-member team with a search and rescue dog.  

On Saturday, October 26, just before 10 p.m., Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers identified what they believed were the woman's shoe prints on a trail and began to follow them. Volunteers frequently yelled out the woman's name into the darkness, hoping to get a response. 

On Sunday, October 27, just after 4 a.m., Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers heard a woman yell back. Just before 5 a.m., they located the missing woman in a steep and rocky area almost 10 miles from where she had parked her vehicle.

The woman was exhausted, but in good condition. Due to the harsh terrain, Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers remained with the woman until a Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter would hoist her to safety around 8:00 a.m. She was airlifted to the Lake Morena campground, where she received medical treatment. She was soon reunited with her family.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office thanks San Diego County Parks and Recreation and the U.S. Border Patrol, as well as the Sheriff's ASTREA (helicopter) Unit for their assistance in the search.

“We would also like to recognize the immense dedication and professionalism of the Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit,” says Lieutenant Ford. “For the search operation, 30 Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers sacrificed their weekend with loved ones to help search for the missing woman. They searched and hiked for many hours to locate her.  Volunteers provided comfort, care and reassurance to someone who was in need.  Their expertise and dedication to helping others is a testament to their character. We are proud to have them as members of the Sheriff's Search and Rescue Unit.”

Sheriff’s Search and Rescue is an all-volunteer unit. Together, they perform wilderness and urban rescues and search for missing persons.  Teams are available 24 hours a day to respond to local, state and federal agency requests.  They also help the Sheriff's Office with evacuations during wildfires, flash flood and other natural disasters.  To learn more about SAR or to volunteer, click here.