Body of Jamie Dalton who was missing found, no foul play suspected

On 03-05-2016 at approximately 1:30 PM Jamie Dalton and a friend went hiking in the rural area to the southeast of the CALFIRE Howard Forest station located in the 17000 block of Highway 101 in Willits, California.

During the hike the pair became disoriented to their surroundings and the friend instructed Dalton to shelter in place while the friend attempted to seek help by navigating the terrain alone.

On 03-06-2016 at approximately 7:30 AM the friend contacted CALFIRE personnel and advised them of the situation resulting in a missing person report to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

A search for Dalton was initiated resulting in the assistance of personnel from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue team, CALFIRE, Little Lake Fire Department and California Department of Fish & Wildlife.

As of 03-06-2016 there were approximately 30 people involved in the search efforts with more mutual aid assistance expected on 03-07-2016.  Areal search assistance was not available to date because of the weather conditions and will be evaluated again on 03-07-2016, as search efforts continue.

Dalton is described as being a 46 year-old white male, 6 feet tall, weighing 180-200 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes (see photograph below).  Dalton was last seen wearing a black leather jacket, a black shirt, tan shorts and black shoes.

***UPDATE***

On 3-7-16 the following Search and Rescue (SAR) teams responded to Mendocino County Sheriff's Office request for Mutual Aid in this search; California Rescue Dog Association, Sonoma County SAR , Contra Costa County SAR , Napa County SAR, Lake County SAR, Solano County SAR and Humboldt County SAR.  Also responding to the request for assistance was the California National Guard Air Unit, California Office of Emergency Services Law Branch, Cal Fire Mendocino Unit, and Little Lake Fire Department.  Approximately 70 searchers and 30 support personnel were fielded during this search incident.

Around 1422 hours an all terrain vehicle (ATV) search team discovered a deceased male approximately 1/4 mile north of Laughlin Peak, along an old logging road.  The male matched the description of the missing person and a deputy coroner was dispatched to the location.  With the assistance of a California National Guard Blackhawk Helicopter the decedent was extracted from the woods and flown back to the incident command base, where his identity was confirmed as that of the missing person, Jamie Dalton, a 46 year old male who lived in the Ukiah area.

The decedent was found dressed in a black leather jacket, a black shirt, tan shorts and black shoes.  The weather during this search incident was cold, wet, with some snow and sleet falling in the area.  A death investigation has been initiated and an autopsy is being scheduled.  There were no obvious signs of trauma on the decedent and foul play is not suspected.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office would like to thank all agencies and volunteer search and rescue personnel who responded to assist on this incident.