[Update: Coroner on Scene] Drone Spots Possible Victim Near Klamath River as Search for Missing Driver Continues

Personnel from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office responded just after noon today to the Kep’el Creek area near Weitchpec following a California Highway Patrol request for medical rescue. The call stems from an overdue motorist report filed Wednesday evening.

According to information provided to Redheaded Blackbelt contributor Stormy Whitehurst by family members, Andrew Marcha told his partner, Tasheena French, that he was headed to a residence in the area but never arrived. On Thursday morning, August 28, his vehicle was found wrecked on Highway 169 near Kep’el Creek. Nearby were his dog, wallet, shoes, and socks, left about a quarter-mile from the suspected crash site. A towel was also discovered hanging from a tree on the cliff above the Klamath River.

Family and friends searched throughout Thursday but were unable to locate him. On Friday morning, Whitehurst reports a drone spotted what appeared to be a person at the bottom of the cliff near the river. CHP, the lead agency on the crash, requested assistance from allied responders including HCSO, Hoopa Ambulance, and CAL FIRE.

Marcha’s family and partner remain on scene awaiting confirmation and word of his condition.

Marcha is described as a Latino man, 5’7” tall, 220 pounds, with black hair and a short goatee. He was last seen wearing a blue assembly shirt, light blue jeans, and blue Ray-Ban glasses. Anyone who saw Marcha or witnessed the wreck Wednesday evening is asked to call CHP at 707-713-6300.

Update 5:00 p.m.: Whitehurst reports that a coroner unit is at the scene of the previously requested medical rescue not far from where Marcha’s crashed vehicle was located.

CAL FIRE, HCSO, and Hoopa Ambulance responded to a medical rescue request from CHP. [All photos provided by Stormy Whitehurst]

The HCSO coroner’s vehicle arrived at a river access point on the Klamath River not far from where Marcha’s crashed vehicle was located.

Redheaded Blackbelt has reached out to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office for comment.