May 8, 2022 - On Friday, May 6th, dental records of 37-year-old Samantha Tomlinson of Fresno were compared to skeletal remains found near Shaver Lake. The examination confirmed the identity to be that of Samantha Tomlinson. She was reported to Fresno Police as a missing person on December 3rd, 2021, after she never returned home from a shopping trip.
Shortly after the report was filed, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) team, Forest Service rangers and the California Highway Patrol checked spots within the Sierra National Forest and Sequoia National Park due to Tomlinson being an avid hiker who enjoyed visiting these locations. Crews were never able to find Tomlinson or her car.
On May 2nd, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of an abandoned 2002 Honda Civic near Dinkey Creek and Rock Creek Roads east of Shaver Lake. Deputies responded, checked the license plate and discovered the car belonged to Samantha Tomlinson. It is believed the car was previously covered in snow, which is why it wasn’t found sooner.
Approximately 20 SAR members were deployed to the area to search for Tomlinson. This included deputies, volunteers from the Sheriff’s Jeep Rescue Unit, Mountaineers, and the California Rescue Dog Association. They worked around the clock combing the forest for any signs of Tomlinson. On May 4th, SAR members found bones in rough terrain about a half mile away from where the car was parked. The bones were taken to the Coroner’s Office where Tomlinson’s identity was confirmed. No foul play is suspected in this case.
Source & photo: Fresno County Sheriff's Office
