June 21, 2018 - Mariposa Sheriff‘s Search and Rescue along with several additional agencies continued to search for Carol since she was reported missing on March 22, 2018.
On Saturday, June 16th Mariposa County Sheriff’s personnel, Search and Rescue and cadaver dogs from the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA), conducted a search near the Bear Reservoir. This area is approximately 9 miles downstream from where Carol was last seen. While searching a very large debris pile one of the cadaver dogs alerted to an area where searchers located skeletal human remains. The remains were collected and sent to a Forensic Odonatologist. Carol was positively identified using dental records.
The family of Carol Brown has been notified of our findings. While this is a tragic event, we are thankful we were able to locate her and help her family find closure.
John Honesta continues to be listed as missing. Organized searches continue in and around the area where John’s vehicle was located.
ORIGINAL RELEASE:
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office has been searching for two missing from the 3/22/2018 Storm / Flooding Event.
Missing Person Details:
Carol Brown 72 of Cathey's Valley
On March 22nd at approximately 5pm Carol left her house to check on horses due to the heavy rain and flooding. When Carol did not return back to the house after 30 minutes her husband started to look for her and found their side by side utility vehicle she was driving laying on its side in the creek / river.
The area Carol was last seen is typically a seasonal creek that is normally 3-4 feet wide and 0-1 feet deep, searchers on scene have estimated the peak flow of the flooding water reached 150 ft. wide and 10 ft. deep at peak flood stage. This fast moving water was riddled with twisted and broken debris and would have been impossible for a person to navigate. This waterway continues to the Bear Creek Reservoir which is located about 10 miles downstream towards Merced County. The debris field in the search area is extensive in size. Searchers guided by CHP H40 did locate what we believe is to her jacket she was wearing at time. We have not been able to locate anything else at this time.
SEARCH EFFORTS:
Our search teams, supported by all our surrounding cities & state agencies, have search for Carol and John non-stop day and night.
Over 70 personnel have been continuously searching for both Carol and John. This consists of Ground Searchers, Swift Water Teams, Boating Rescue, Drones, Helicopters and Search Dogs. Search management Teams have been organizing and directing the efforts in coordination with the Mariposa County Emergency Operations Center.
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office has been assisted in the search operations by 12 allied agencies, which include: Tuolumne County Sheriff, Madera County Sheriff, Kern County Sheriff, Fresno County Sheriff, Merced County Sheriff, Stanislaus County Sheriff, Calaveras County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol H40 Helicopter, CARDA Rescue and Cadaver Dogs, California Office of Emergency Services, CALFIRE and Monterey County Sheriff.
The large scale search operations for both Carol and John has continued day and night since. Unfortunately due to the force of this storm we do presume both deceased. As of this evening, we are planning to reduce the mutual aid teams. The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office will continue to liaison with the families and monitor the search area.
We are sensitive to the family and do hope we can effect recoveries soon, however, again due to the destruction evident in the search area, and throughout the entire county, it is unlikely they could have survived their situation. Both Carol and John will continue to be listed as missing. Both have been entered into Department of Justice Missing and Unidentified Persons System.
Source & photo: Mariposa County Sheriff's Office
Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office Releases Names of Missing Persons from Storm Event
