Sheila Franks, a divorced mother of two who lived between Rio Dell and (location omitted), was last heard from the morning of February 2, 2014 when she texted her youngest son. Her family says she kept close contact with both sons. James Jones, the man she had been living with, told others Sheila went for a walk and never returned; he was the last person seen with her.

Family members describe a history of violence in Sheila’s relationship with Jones; her sister said she had seen signs of abuse and that Sheila had been punched and given a black eye. Jones, a sawmill worker with prior arrests for drugs and domestic violence, has been named as a person of interest in Sheila’s death and was also the last person seen with Danielle Bertolini, who disappeared one week after Sheila.

A femur found in Eel Creek in June 2019 was identified as Sheila’s in September 2019. Her case remains open with a person of interest named. If anyone has information about Sheila’s disappearance or death, contact the Fortuna Police Department or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.