BONNY DOON — As the search for a missing elderly woman last seen in the Santa Cruz Mountains reaches one week, law enforcement officials say they are pressing on while compiling all the information they’ve gathered up to this point.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ryan Farotte told the Sentinel search and rescue teams have tracked about 3,500 miles around Bonny Doon and the San Lorenzo Valley region within a six-day period as they searched for 73-year-old Jeanne Burke. Burke was last seen at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in the area of Moore Ranch Road and, because of medical reasons, officials are concerned for her safety.
Farotte said that another search team was sent out Tuesday morning after reviewing data and tips, but Burke was not found.
The search effort has been organized by local and regional first responders, but many community members have also mobilized to aid in the rescue effort sweeping across the region. Search teams have ranged at times from 80-100 people, all looking for clues or evidence that could lead to Burke’s whereabouts.
Throughout the operation, teams were equipped with GPS trackers that recorded movements and documented the areas covered, according to an update post on social media from the Sheriff’s Office. Officials are now reviewing that data to determine what areas have been covered and to identify any gaps that will help guide future search efforts.
“Search and Rescue teams are carefully reviewing tracking points collected from ground crews, day and night search operations, K9 units, and drone flights,” reads the Tuesday post from the Sheriff’s Office. “This analysis helps them pinpoint any remaining areas of interest and determine the most effective locations for the next search efforts.”
Multiple agencies from across the state have stepped in to assist in the effort, including officials from Fresno, Yolo, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Placer, Marin, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Merced, Santa Clara and Santa Barbara counties, among others. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services stepped in to coordinate mutual aid, search and rescue groups, the California National Guard, Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit, American Red Cross as well as telecommunication companies Verizon and Starlink.
Anyone with information about Burke is urged to contact the county Sheriff’s Office at 831-471-1121.