[UPDATE Monday] Missing Man Near Manila Beach North of Eureka

Travis Privat

Travis Privat

A man, Travis Privat, is missing near Manila Beach north of Eureka and has been since a little after 7 last night. According to Karina Brinckhaus, a friend, “He was having a bonfire down by the Manila Beach with friends.”

The group had parked their cars at the Montessori School around 1600 Peninsula Drive. There were three other people, Brinckhaus who wasn’t there said.

“He walked one of our friends back to the car,” she explained. The friend got in her car and left, but Privat started heading back to the bonfire. He got lost and exchanged a few text messages with friends, Brinckhaus told us. “He talked to them on the phone, but he still wasn’t showing up.”

After that last phone call about 7:20 p.m., he hasn’t answered the phone.

She said she is even more worried because, “the phone was ringing at first.” And she said, “He should be able to hear the ocean on one side and the cars on the other. This is very bizarre.”

She added that there isn’t any easy explanation. “He doesn’t drink,” she told us. “He’s a Christian. He is a healthy 30-year-old…We don’t know if there was foul play or if he is unconscious for some reason.”

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and the Coast Guard was searching last night. Brinckhaus said they kept searching until about 11:30 p.m. They called the search off then, but said they would be back and have a meeting at 8 a.m. at the Montessori School where Privat’s car is still parked.

However, Brinckhaus, who we spoke to by phone from the Montessori School parking lot, said, “His family and his friends were searching through the night.” She added that if other people want to help, they can come down. “It wouldn’t hurt to have more people out here,” she said. “If someone has a dog that is good at search, that would help…There is so much thick underbrush.”

Privat weighs about 130 pounds and is 5’6″ with brown hair. If you have any questions or information, Privat said to call her at (707) 671-5038.

UPDATE 8:21 a.m.: Karina Brinckhaus sent us a still from a video taken last night to show the clothing Travis Privat was wearing.

Travis Privat

Travis Privat at Manila Beach yesterday evening.

UPDATE 8:50 a.m.: Good news! Karina Brinckhaus tells us that Travis has been located. At this point, she doesn’t know if he’s injured but the family has been told that he has been located.

UPDATE 9:14 a.m.: Karina Brinckhaus shared these photos of Travis with family and friends.

Travis Privat with family and friends.

Travis Privat with family and friends.

And Travis with search and rescue team.

Travis Privat

Travis Privat with search and rescue team.

UPDATE:

On Nov. 14, 2020, at about 8 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 1600 block of Peninsula Drive near Manila for the report of a missing person.

According to the reporting party, 30-year-old Travis Privat was spending time at the beach with friends when he returned to the parking area to walk a friend back to their car. When Privat began to return to the beach, he reportedly became lost in the dunes and never re-joined his friends.

Privat’s friends contacted law enforcement, who immediately began a search and rescue operation. Sheriff’s Deputies searched the trail system on foot and by UTV, while the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Humboldt Bay assisted in searching by helicopter for Privat.

After several hours of searching in darkness with no results, the search was suspended until daylight the next morning.

On November 15, at about 8 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies, the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Posse and the USCG resumed search operations for Privat. During this time, Privat contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Emergency Operations Center and notified dispatchers that he had safely walked out of the dunes and was calling from a residence nearby.

Deputies contacted Privat, who was uninjured and in good spirits. Privat told deputies that he had taken an alternate trail which he had believed led back to the beach. The trail instead took him into the area of the Ma-le’l Dunes. During this time, Privat’s phone died. Privat reportedly saw the helicopter looking for him but was unable to get to an area where he would be visible. Privat decided to stop near some trees and wait until daylight to hike out.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the USCG and the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Posse for their assistance with this search.

With sunset now happening earlier in the evening, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to take caution and be prepared when hiking or accessing the beach.

Even if you are just planning a short day hike, be sure to:

  • Carry a flashlight.
  • Bring extra water and high-energy foods.
  • Pack a small first aid kit.
  • Dress properly for a hike and prepare for changes in the weather by bringing rain gear or a jacket.
  • Tell somewhere where you are going and when you plan to return.
  • Stay on an established trail and if in an unfamiliar area, bring a map.
  • Be sure to charge your cell phone prior to leaving home.

If you do become lost while hiking and are unable to find your way out, the best thing to do is to stay where you are and call 9-1-1.

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41 Comments
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Just Sayin
Guest
Just Sayin
3 years ago

Yes, because if foul play was involved having an abundance of misleading tracks and information is going to be super helpful. Not to mention scents if they bring a dog down to track…….

Commonsense
Guest
Commonsense
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sayin

The point is to find him as quickly as possible. If he is injured and can’t get out on his own, time is obviously of upmost importance. And tracks are irrelevant because we’re talking about dry sand where no one would make tracks in the first place.

David Swanson
Guest
David Swanson
3 years ago

Tracking in sand is pretty iffy. Only Louis Lamour characters who were kidnapped from wagon trains by Apache Indians and raised at rancherias in the Sierra Madres until he escaped at age 11 and crossed the Sonora desert back the US alone living on seeds are usually able to track people through wind blown sand. And of course the Apaches who taught that person. But a trained tracking dog can differentiate the personal odors of individuals. All other dogs will sniff out pee and poo instead. I am also just sayin’.

Deanna Beeler
Guest
Deanna Beeler
3 years ago
Reply to  David Swanson

Louis L’Amour! Keep an eye on the horses!

No Joke
Guest
No Joke
3 years ago
Reply to  David Swanson

Haha, you summed up those delightful stories perfectly. They’re fun to read but they are certainly fiction.

Laurie
Guest
Laurie
3 years ago

He was just found alive!!!! I am friends with the family.

Daniel Edrich
Guest
Daniel Edrich
3 years ago
Reply to  Laurie

When?

Daniel Edrich
Guest
Daniel Edrich
3 years ago

Helicopter is back this morning . Good luck!

King Tide at about 10:30

Carla Osborn
Guest
Carla Osborn
3 years ago
Reply to  Daniel Edrich

He was found this morning at approximately 8:30. He is fine…tired and embarrassed.
It’s easy to get very confused in the dunes in the dark!

cutomorrow
Guest
cutomorrow
3 years ago
Reply to  Daniel Edrich

good reason too stay away from the beach

Willie Bray
Guest
3 years ago

🕯🌳Hmmmmmm, I really hope there’s more updates on this?

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago

Great news!

John Firebaugh
Guest
John Firebaugh
3 years ago

Why do we spend 10k at least, of taxpayer money looking for an able bodied young person that wants to bon fire party on the beach in a storm?

What, he couldn’t see or hear the helicopters with search lights, for hours? I certainly heard them at my house. I don’t believe he was lost at all.

Dan
Guest
Dan
3 years ago
Reply to  John Firebaugh

why not? It is irrelevant he is in good shape. He was lightly dressed and could have become hypothermic which would result in confusion. He could have been hurt in a fall. To suggest nobody should care about his well-being is non-sensical.

Nikki
Guest
Nikki
3 years ago
Reply to  John Firebaugh

Good thing your opinion doesn’t matter to him or his family… Keep assuming though…

Sonybaliney
Guest
Sonybaliney
3 years ago
Reply to  John Firebaugh

“What, he couldn’t see or hear the helicopters with search lights, for hours? I certainly heard them at my house. I don’t believe he was lost at all.”

Such a weird town we live in. Glad he’s ok but I want more back story.

EGoodrich
Guest
EGoodrich
3 years ago
Reply to  John Firebaugh

This was a very thoughtless inconsiderate remark. If you had a young, able-bodied loved one or friend that was lost in the dunes at night, you wouldn’t want to have a search party looking for them, since they were young and healthy?!? He actually did hear search and rescue or some related party that was searching for him fly over him twice while he was on top of a dune and they missed him both times. He truly was lost and more concerned about those who would be worried about him than for himself.

No Joke
Guest
No Joke
3 years ago
Reply to  John Firebaugh

it’s good practice for them for when something does go seriously wrong.

PinDrop
Guest
PinDrop
3 years ago

Thank you for the good news!! Made my day seeing all the smiles!

Fog Dog
Guest
Fog Dog
3 years ago

I think I remember a similar story a few years ago with someone else getting lost in the dark on the beach. Glad he was found safe.

Squirrel
Guest
Squirrel
3 years ago

I’m sure he heard the helicopter last night. I got lost once in the daytime when I first moved here. Verytime I hit a new path going towards town it ran into a fence. I know my way now but it’s pretty scary being lost a quarter of a mile from your house. even in the day time. Glad hes ok.

Heidi Chandler
Guest
3 years ago

Good job social distancing for that photo😳

Xtopher
Guest
Xtopher
3 years ago

Mentioning him being a Christian seems corny.
His God seems to have leaned on our reliable Coasties and Sheriff over circumcised magic.

Maybe the forfeiting of his critical faculties made him “lost” and now he is “found”.

Ebola
Guest
Ebola
3 years ago

All those “friends” standing arm in arm and not one wearing a mask.

Christians dont wear masks
Guest
Christians dont wear masks
3 years ago
Reply to  Ebola

Theyre christians, thats how they roll these dsys. Check out the spread of covid from the churches in mendo and redding alone, then check out orange county.
The christian lady from redding posted videos of her&her daughter maskless in many of our local businesses with writing of how stupid we all are here with our masks. Go jesus!

A man in redway told me he doesnt need a mask cuz he has jesus. The lady working at the post office said i think thats just wonderful.
They should all sign a paper that they will get no medical care nor be allowed in a hospital if they get sick. No need if covids fake. Praise the lord right?

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
3 years ago

Yeah, if you get COVID just go to a Peter Popof ceremony and POOF, no problemo. Don’t forget, Trump behaves satanically but is called a tool of god by the MyPillow creep and other luminaries like Rev. Franklin Graham. Go figure. I’ll pass, thank you. If the Devil says sign right here and wherever Trump and Hannity wind up, I go to the other place; I’ll take that deal.

Eel
Guest
Eel
3 years ago

“He doesn’t drink,” she told us. “He’s a Christian. I’m glad he’s found and safe but that made me laugh 😂😂😂😂😂

lauracooskey
Guest
lauracooskey
3 years ago
Reply to  Eel

I believe that any Christian should have been honored and delighted to be a guest at the wedding where Christ himself turned the water into wine. Party on with an endless pour!

But seriously, it’s okay by me if a young person equates morality and humble character with eschewing intoxicants. So many go so far the other way that “clean living” (for whatever reason) is not something i would knock.

Wow
Guest
Wow
3 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Thank you for admitting how hypocritical your religion is. Truly.

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
3 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

Yes, Christ’s first public miracle at the wedding feast of Cana. How cool that you brought it up! Great story that was inculcated in me at Saturday Catechism because it was an example of the Son o’ God obeying his mother against his own wishes. Read the story. J.C.’s first alleged miracle was to provide a psychoactive party drug for a wedding! From the Catholic text, I wonder why the wine steward complained to Mary about the booze shortage UNLESS she was the mother of the groom! Uh oh. So He grudgingly turns jugs of water into wine SO GOOD that the steward remarked that most people serve the best first, but J. C. saved the best for last. Check it. Can’t make up! Oh, wait . . . .

BTW, glad to hear of the happy ending. A bit weird that the celebrant couldn’t see the bonfire or the road or the ocean from a high dune. Very weird that he didn’t have even a tiny pocket flashlight for wandering around at night or signaling rescuers. Stumbling around in the dark is a good way to break your neck or a limb. Nice to have a jacket in November. These folks have LOTS of faith! Good luck with that.

Oh, wow, Akismet timed me out again. There went my faith.

Carmudgeon43
Guest
Carmudgeon43
3 years ago

Wine was the preferred drink back then because the water could kill you. Very polluted and typhoid, dysentery, etc, were big killers, especially of children.

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[…] [UPDATE 8:50 am: Good News!] Missing Man Near Manila Beach North of Eureka  Redheaded Blackbelt […]

observer
Guest
observer
3 years ago

I’m going to guess that the intent of mentioning the non alcohol was to thwart off all the incriminating remarks that would be made by the assumptions of what kind of get together these Christians were having. I have watched this community crucify completely innocent people with their ignorant know-it-alls.

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
3 years ago
Reply to  observer

If you advocate a world of spirits and demons then people can express opposing views. You have an absolute right to your non-violent religion, but you can’t hurt US either like Christians did for centuries and militant Buddhists and Muslims do to infidels to this very day.

Kris Kringer
Guest
Kris Kringer
3 years ago

Cringe at the self righteous plug for moral christians over and over again. Just a quiet “thank you” is what’s necessary.

Mike W
Guest
Mike W
3 years ago

Wow.!!!! You “SOCIAL MEDIA MOUTHOFFS” got nutn better to do other than, talk shit behind a Username.

John
Guest
John
3 years ago

Strongly suggest learning how to use the “share my location” feature central to Iphone but no doubt available on all smartphones nowadays. Glad he was found and didn’t get hypothermic.

Anthony Dail Brewer
Guest
3 years ago

Only in this sick county would someone talk shit about a search and rescue just because some people aren’t born to this countys danger they did the right thing you dont just blow human beings off $over people sickening

Casual Observer
Guest
Casual Observer
3 years ago

I have gotten turned around hiking through those same dunes. Lost the trail I came out on but once I realized I was off course oriented myself with the ocean and walked the opposite direction. Never tried this in the dark though. Hopefully this kid learns from this or he may end up winning a Darwin Award in the future.

Tasha
Guest
Tasha
3 years ago

I still call bullshit. That’s where I’m at still.