Kari Nelson and her dog located alive by rescue team

 

This update from HCSO at 5:30 p.m.

Original Press Release:

A search and rescue for a missing woman is currently underway in the Honeydew area.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 58-year-old Kari Rene Nelson, who was last seen by a family member at a property on the 47000 block of Mattole Road.

Nelson reportedly went for a walk on the rural property at approximately 1 p.m. on October 24, 2022 and did not return.  

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Special Services deputies, with the assistance of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Posse and the United States Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay are currently searching the area for Nelson. Crews are utilizing K9 teams, ATVs, ground crews and air resources in the search for Nelson. Due to the remoteness of the property, emergency crews may need to access the search area through private properties in the areas of Mattole Road, Heidi Lane and Applewood Road. Residents in this area are encouraged to use caution around emergency traffic and report any sightings of Nelson immediately.

Kari Nelson is described as a white female adult, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and 120 lbs. She was last seen wearing a pink beanie cap, a purple pullover sweater and blue jeans. She may also be accompanied by a small dog named Oliver.

HCSO Press Release (Oct 26):

Search and rescue teams have located missing woman Kari Nelson alive and uninjured, nearly 28 hours after she was last seen going for a walk on a Honeydew property.  

On Oct. 25, 2022, just before 5 p.m., a search team including members of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Posse located Nelson in a steep and rocky drainage. Rescue crews, utilizing a rope system, repelled down the drainage and brought Nelson and her dog to safety. Nelson told rescue crews that she had become disoriented during her walk of the property and was unable to find her way back. Upon realizing that she had become lost, Nelson stayed put, spending the night and following day outdoors.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this search: Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Posse, United States Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay, Honeydew Volunteer Fire Department and CAL FIRE.

In addition to these assisting agencies, the Sheriff’s Office would like to extend a special thank you to a local community member who provided search crews with invaluable assistance and relayed essential knowledge of the surrounding terrain.