Rick Raymond Eastep, 32, of Ontario, Canada, was last seen January 7, 2019, while hiking the Lost Coast Trail near Petrolia, California. He had begun the trek January 3 and planned to finish by January 8. A delayed text on January 9 said he had injured his back near Miller Flat and needed help.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office led a multiagency search that included Shelter Cove Fire Rescue, Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue Team and the U.S. Coast Guard. Over four days teams searched roughly 26 miles of coastline and 16 miles of trails by air, ground and sea. Several of Eastep’s personal items were found on the shoreline and appeared to have been affected by tides, but no other evidence locating him was recovered. Active search operations were suspended January 12, 2019, because of weather and terrain; periodic patrols were planned afterward.

Eastep’s family in Ontario remains concerned and appreciative of the search work. There have been no reported developments as of December 24, 2024. If anyone was on the Lost Coast Trail or the shoreline near Miller Flat in early January 2019, can you share what you saw or heard?