Missing HSU Student, Erin Henry, Found Deceased

Erin Elizabeth Henry

Today, at approximately 9:12 a.m., the body of a young woman was located at the bottom of Elephant Rock near Westhaven. Arcata Police Chief Tom Chapman confirmed that this was the body of Erin Henry, a Humboldt State University student who was last seen November 25 by her roommate in the Sunnybrae area southeast of Arcata.

Chapman said, “There is no indication at this time of foul play.” An autopsy will be performed later.

22-year-old Erin Henry was in her last semester at HSU. Her family has been in the area searching for her. They learned the news just a short time ago.

Our hearts go out to them and to her many friends.

Press Release from the Arcata Police:

On the morning of 12/8/2017, the Arcata Police Department was contacted by the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and informed a maintenance worker had located a knee scooter along HWY 101 south of Westhaven.

Officers responded to the location and conducted a search of the area. During the search, 22-year-old Erin Henry, reported missing to the APD on 11/30/2017, was discovered deceased a short distance east of HWY 101.

With the assistance of the Humboldt County Sheriff/Coroner, Ms. Henry’s body was recovered.

The preliminary investigation revealed no sign of foul play.

The APD would like to thank the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, CalTrans, Humboldt State University, HSU Theater Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, Humboldt Transit Authority, Crescent City Police Department, AT&T, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, California State Parks and the numerous volunteers that assisted with search efforts.

# #

UPDATE : Press release from Humboldt State University:

Today we learned of the loss of Humboldt State student Erin Henry. We want to express our deepest sympathies to her family, friends, colleagues, and the faculty and staff who knew her. We ask you to keep her loved ones in your thoughts and comfort each other during this time.

Students can contact Counseling & Psychological Services at 707.826.3236. The Dean of Students Office can also be reached at 707.826.3504. Staff or faculty seeking additional support may utilize the Employee Assistance Program at 707.443.7358.

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Buster
Guest
Buster
6 years ago

Terribly sad but at least the family and friends can have closure and move toward healing.

Ernestine
Guest
Ernestine
6 years ago
Reply to  Buster

Except for the part where she was on crutches, with no keys, phone, or other personal items we generally take everywhere! No, they don’t have closure, they have a convenient answer. How scary for everyone.

Stephen
Guest
Stephen
6 years ago
Reply to  Ernestine

When I was on the county transit coming back to McKinleyville I noticed a hsu pd officer & looked like a staff member were taking down the missing posters around hsu’s library circle

Ice
Guest
Ice
6 years ago
Reply to  Ernestine

Her knee scooter was found there.

Colleen
Guest
Colleen
6 years ago
Reply to  Ernestine

How can they say there is no foul play. She left with nothing. She had to have gone with someone. Then she is found at the bottom of a ravine with crutches. Something is not right!

RIP
Guest
RIP
6 years ago

Condolences to the family&friends! And HSU which is like a family.
Its good to have closure but am so sorry for your loss.
Please let the community know if there are any ways we can help.

Chuck
Guest
Chuck
6 years ago

Horrible! So sorry to the friends and family. But reading this something doesn’t add up, did she just wheel herself up there and crawl off on her own? Again, horrible. I spent most of yesterday hoping for a positive outcome on this and the Spaniard.

Aunna Bollmann
Guest
Aunna Bollmann
6 years ago
Reply to  Chuck

I agree. What is APD’s definition of foul play?!
She didn’t scooter herself from Sunny Brea to Trinidad.
They better find out who transported her up there.

Omg so sad R.I.P......
Guest
Omg so sad R.I.P......
6 years ago

This is sad ……and someone knows what happened. …..i hope the truth comes out

Ralph
Guest
Ralph
6 years ago

No foul play? what, did a UFO drop her off the side of the road 20 miles up the 101??? She just hopped on her scooter with a broken ankle and no ID’s or cell phone and went for a little road trip??? Everything about this case is shady. Just how many missing persons and bodies reported in this county go unexplained? What is really going on in this county??? What is this …. look the other way and “don’t close the beach” like in the movie Jaws? Damn strange.

Ed Paul
Guest
Ed Paul
6 years ago
Reply to  Ralph

There has to be extenuating circumstances not yet known or released to the public in this case.

Hmmmmm!
Guest
Hmmmmm!
6 years ago
Reply to  Ralph

Do you think the investigation is over after their preliminary announcement, then?

I see.

Angie c
Guest
Angie c
6 years ago
Reply to  Ralph

I agree

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
6 years ago

Bless this family having to deal with this.
They found her and that’s part of the closure, but this still raises lots of questions.

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
6 years ago

My condolences to her family🕊 I’m so so sorry, God bless you

Cheryl Branson
Guest
Cheryl Branson
6 years ago

There is definitely something missing from this sad story.

Cheryl Branson
Guest
Cheryl Branson
6 years ago

There is definitely something missing from this.

Georganne Ross
Guest
Georganne Ross
6 years ago

Om mani padme hum 💛💐

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago

It’s hard not to keep hoping for a better ending. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

Angie c
Guest
Angie c
6 years ago

Heartbreaking

Veterans Friend
Guest
Veterans Friend
6 years ago

What is a “knee scooter”?
I have never heard of this.

Nancy
Guest
Nancy
6 years ago

Her ankle was broken. They make a little scooter type device, you can put your knee on and scoot along. Like putting your knee on a tricycle and pushing yourself along with the other leg.

Common sense
Guest
Common sense
6 years ago

Omg this is so sad!!!! There has to be more to the story!

Tom Brown
Guest
Tom Brown
6 years ago

We are so sorry for your loss. We will continue to pray for you.

Steve Rogers
Guest
Steve Rogers
6 years ago

Perhaps give time for a complete investigation before jumping to conclusions that nothing is being done. This is not CSI on TV with a 60 minute time frame to solve a case. The real world takes time. Also, not all facts are released at the time of an investigation so that a through investigation without a rush to judgement can be completed. Just saying be patient and stop being negative.

Loser
Guest
Loser
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve Rogers

Oh, okay! So we will have answers any minute now for that girl getting choked to death in Eureka and we will get justice for Josiah and yeah that guy who started Stardoughs getting shot on Titlow where everybody knows the shooters and the missing girls down near Fortuna where the cops are mad when anybody actually says the killer’s name on public media because one of these years they are really going to get him? Yeah- the cops are super good investigators around here! Let’s not disturb their excellent work. I hear they even might be able to put Marci Kitchen at the scene of a drunk driving hit and run! By golly they sure are good!!

Ernestine
Guest
Ernestine
6 years ago
Reply to  Loser

Thank you. And may I add, the elder man choked to death fifteen miles from his home in alder point. And Stephanie galboy shot execution style in her home? And on and on.

Crumple
Guest
Crumple
6 years ago
Reply to  Loser

Damn, I didn’t know that about the stardoughs guy that’s horrible

Liberal hypocrisy
Guest
Liberal hypocrisy
6 years ago
Reply to  Loser

Law enforcement in Humboldt County and their inability to investigate crimes thoroughly and solve cases, closely parallels the Humboldt County Medical system’s inability to thoroughly investigate illnesses and solve medical cases.

Curious george
Guest
Curious george
6 years ago
Reply to  Loser

Maybe if Josiah’s homeboy fessed up to wanting to lead, we would get justice

Chey
Guest
Chey
6 years ago

Her mother is my teacher and this is the 2nd daughter that she’s lost in 2 years. I hope they find who did this to my teachers daughter.

Diamond
Guest
6 years ago

Obvious murder…come on APD!

CP
Guest
CP
6 years ago

There is a bus stop just up the highway on the Westhaven exit at the stop sign. Maybe check in with all bus drivers about this too! It’s not that far from where she was found and not that difficult to navigate. I’m so sorry for your loss of your beautiful daughter, sister and friend.

2 in 2
Guest
2 in 2
6 years ago
Reply to  CP

that would make sense only if she had her student ID (bus pass) on her. But her wallet and cell phone were both left in her home. There’s clearly foul play involved, even if they haven’t found it yet. But it is APD, so we’ll see if they even conduct a full investigation. Prayers to the family that they actually solve this one.

RIP
Guest
RIP
6 years ago
Reply to  2 in 2

Wow so glad you know thers foul play, where’s your proof?
Have you ever been in a place where you’re ready to kill yourself??
People do “odd” things when they get to that point, believe me. Unfortunately I know a few folks who chose to go by their own hand and both went to the beach to do it.

And yes local law enforcement is lacking but sometimes family’s ask for information to be kept from the public. When there’s a court hearing is usually when stories come out.

Someone
Guest
Someone
6 years ago

Hopefully the autopsy reveals something helpful. Theres no way she made it that far without without her walking device, nor could she have thrown it that far. It seems like someone intentionally abandoned her there. Sickos.

geez already
Guest
geez already
6 years ago
Reply to  Someone

Or she got run off the road or hit by a car. How do you know how far off the road the scooter was, were you involved in locating it or otherwise?
I highly doubt caltrans workers were hiking down that steep slope, it couldn’t have been far from the edge since they specifically said “along hwy 101” not down a cliff off of it.

why assume the worst? Feeding the fear monster telling us horrible people are responsible for every death is not helping, lets at least balance it with the possibility of an accident happening.
Jumping to conclusions helps no one..

Andrew
Guest
Andrew
6 years ago

However she got from Samoa to So. of West Haven; it had to have been in a vehicle.
Condolences to her family.

Don't Drink While Pregnant
Guest
Don't Drink While Pregnant
6 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

Not Samoa, Sunny Brae.

Unless she scootered all night long, she must have gotten a ride from someone or taken the bus most of the way there. Paying cash to get on the bus makes the most sense to me.

laya goodwyn
Guest
laya goodwyn
6 years ago

Anyone else find it strange that the roommate- who knew the keys, wallet and phone were in the house- waited 5 days to report her missing?

spankie
Guest
spankie
6 years ago

Strange indeed, how did this woman get to Westhaven?
What was the official cause of death?
Weird place to find her, so tragic.

Bonnie
Guest
6 years ago

There are several things about this 1. It is reported she was upset about something the night she went missing. No one knows what it was but they know she was upset. 2. If your abducted your kidnapper isn’t going to take your walking device and they darn sure aren’t going to carry you 13 miles even in a car and leave your scooter by the side of the road to be found. She left without her car without her phone without her id. It is pretty clear her state of mind was questionable. I hate to break it but it sounds like she did this. She sounds like a wonderfully sweet person, she is an excellent student according to school. We however don’t really know who she was or what she was going thru in her personal life, somebody knows family friends but not us. I think there is more to ms Henry. The police made an odd statement at the beginning “we haven’t ruled out an abduction”. That spoke volumes it meant that there was a good chance she did this. I am so sorry for her family I prayed that no matter what she would be brought home and she has been. God be with her family.

(Not that) Guest
Guest
(Not that) Guest
6 years ago

It’s being updated as a suicide, multiple witnesses to seeing her alone at various spots on the 101. R.I.P. and my heart goes out to her family.

Someone
Guest
Someone
6 years ago

Suicide does not explain how she got so far from her knee scooter.

So so sad crying
Guest
So so sad crying
6 years ago
Reply to  Someone

She could have hitchhiked or taken a bus with cash

Don't Drink While Pregnant
Guest
Don't Drink While Pregnant
6 years ago
Reply to  Someone

Different objects fall at different rates. A human body is larger, heavier, and more solid than a knee scooter, which is lightweight and made of hollow metal tubing and a little cushion. *IF* she were at the top of Elephant Rock, it makes sense that her body would have fallen straight down, while the scooter, which is more like grandma’s walker than a moped, would fall more obliquely and possibly get caught up in brush or other vegetation. That’s *if* she was at the top of the rock as opposed to falling from the shoulder of the highway, which is still possible.

I figure the only reason Cal-Trans found the scooter and no one else did was because they were probably mowing grass or clearing brush.

Shauna Bowers
Guest
Shauna Bowers
6 years ago

It was apparent suicide. Follow the link below. I have known the family for 20 years. It’s very sad because her 22 year old step sister died in a car wreck 18 months ago.

Please pray for comfort and peace for the family.

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2017/dec/8/body-found-south-westhaven/

Freedom Club
Guest
Freedom Club
6 years ago
Reply to  Shauna Bowers

Please don’t pray. If you want help do something that will actually have real life impact, not gestures of the imaginary nature.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Freedom Club

Go bully other people over real issues.

Kim
Guest
Kim
6 years ago
Reply to  Freedom Club

Freedom Club – you can believe however you wish but don’t mock the faith of other people. Most of the people who do the toughest work in the world – ie military, police, fire fighters etc are praying people.

Freedom Club
Guest
Freedom Club
6 years ago
Reply to  Kim

Kim, I will mock whoever the hell I want. Especially when it is a concept as weak as faith. Just because a large number of people do it really has no merit to its validity. If you religious fools were half as confident in your beliefs as you claim to be, it shouldn’t bother you one iota if someone mocked it. Freedom of speech is how your fight bad ideas out there in the world. In case you haven’t noticed the world is full of foolish brain washed idiots. And LOL at police and tough work. I’m sure it’s really tough to wield all that power over other people while enforcing corrupt agendas. Prayer is for the weakest of weak people who want to feel as if they have done something to contribute, but can muster little more than a gesture and cannot face the reality of the world we live in.

Sarah Jane
Guest
Sarah Jane
6 years ago
Reply to  Freedom Club

It is ignorant to mock people for their faith. You’re lack of experience does not negate the reality of other people’s spiritual experiences. Ignorance is forgivable, because it means that one does not know better. Your comments go beyond ignorance unfortunately; they show a true lack of empathy on your part.

Lily
Guest
Lily
6 years ago

I bet she didnt suicide herself someone killed her because how could she walk up there with a broken foot .I wish I could have done something to prevent this from happening

Buzzardsnest
Guest
Buzzardsnest
6 years ago

Stop doing selfies at cliff edges! Check phone

Buzzardsnest
Guest
Buzzardsnest
6 years ago

Stop doing selfies at cliff edges! Check phone. God speed on your soul

Hmmmmm!
Guest
Hmmmmm!
6 years ago

This article at LoCo has a 4:00 PM update (12/8/17) that answers a lot of questions.
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2017/dec/8/body-found-south-westhaven/

Andrew
Guest
Andrew
6 years ago

The times standard said she could have been hit by a car.

River Rat
Guest
River Rat
6 years ago

terrible news. R.I.P. Erin ( the news is not always good )

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago

R.I.P. dear soul. If this was not an accident, I hope they find the criminal who did this to you.

Cabin in the woods
Guest
Cabin in the woods
6 years ago

Damn sad.
This time of year can be a heavy bummer if you’re alone.

😥
Guest
😥
6 years ago

“May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

Taylormarten
Guest
Taylormarten
6 years ago

Such a tragic event, whatever the scenario. Her tattoo “Anna Rowland” piqued my curiosity so I googled the name only to find her obituary due to an accident in 2016. This beautiful woman, Erin Henry, appears to have been her cousin also in her early 20’s who had accomplished so much already.
That’s a lot of heartache & loss for this family. Very difficult indeed.

guest
Guest
guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Taylormarten

It was actually her sister

spankie
Guest
spankie
6 years ago

Beautiful young lady RIP.

The mystery of Erin’s death will not be revealed yet but she might have been under the influence of the same
thing that the young man was who ran away from his friend near Carlotta. Where is he?
I believe she did scoot to Westhaven probably out of her mind, and died there.
Her death is similar to others recently in some respects, pay attention because the truth is out there…
My sympathy for all involved, including the police!

Mike
Guest
Mike
6 years ago

[edit] The police don’t just release an initial statement and leave it at that. There’s this thing they do that’s called an investigation, it’s a bit of a longer word, so look it up in the dictionary if you need to. Just because they released a statement doesn’t mean they are done investigating the case. Apparently you’re not aware of this, but police don’t just release all of their information to the public as soon as they get it so everybody knows everything they do.

Curious
Guest
Curious
6 years ago

How sad. After watching the video that terrain full of berry bushes looks difficult to navigate without a broken ankle. I am curious to know how she got through that terrain and up that steep of a rock to jump off with a broken ankle.

Laurie
Guest
Laurie
6 years ago

There is more to the story.. there was a young guy early twenties on the front side of the rock in the ravine. about a week ago on my way to Mckinleyville I saw him and honked in a waving gesture he looked my way. though I didn’t really make out his looks. cept clean cut young kid. so. if he was there. wouldn’t he had seen her ? I read somewhere else. someone else saw him as well.

K Kenealy
Guest
K Kenealy
6 years ago

I thought she went missing in 08 they make it sound like she just went missing