[UPDATE 2:44 p.m.: Another Clue] Disappearance at the Airport: Investigators Seek Clues in McKinleyville Man’s Disappearance
Photograph of Jesse Bill Austin provided by his family
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s help to locate missing person Jesse Bill Austin, 80, of McKinleyville.
On 08-24-25, a concerned citizen contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to report a friend, Jesse Bill Austin, had left a concerning note at their residence. The note stated Austin had left his Silver/Gold 2001 GMC van at the airport in McKinleyville. Deputies responded to the airport and located Austin’s van parked in long term parking. Deputies viewed the airport security video where Austin parked the van and walked towards the terminal. He entered an area which was not recorded and was not seen leaving. At about the same time a silver sedan, possibly Toyota, is seen leaving from the same location.
During the initial investigation, deputies checked with the airlines and rental car companies which had no record of Austin making a purchase. Austin’s cell phone information provided his most recent activity was near Railroad Dr. in McKinleyville. The reporting party also stated that Austin had been a white-water rafting guide.
At this point in the investigation, it is unclear where Austin went after airport. It is possible that a citizen gave Austin a ride from the airport. He is described as an 80-year-old white male, gray hair, blue eyes, 5’9”, and about 180 pounds and is known to walk with a cane.
Anyone with information on Austin’s whereabouts is asked to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or Investigator Mike Fridley at (707) 441-3024.
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UPDATE 2:44 p.m.: The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department just updated with the following information:
On Sept. 2 at about 1:30 p.m., a friend of missing person, Jesse Austin, contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to report he had given Austin a ride. The friend stated he picked Austin up from the airport on Aug. 24, 2025, and transported him to the Cedar Flat Rest area on Highway 299.
According to the friend, Austin stated he was meeting a family member and was last seen sitting at a picnic table. Austin was in possession of a backpack, possibly gray in color, a blue waterproof bag, a gallon of water and some food.
If you have any information about Jesse or his whereabouts, please contact Investigator Mike Fridley at (707) 441-3024.
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so he’s whitewater rafting? i don’t see how being a whitewater rafting guide is any more imoprtant than how he worked for the C.I.A. and would infiltrate behind enemy lines, and is actually the one that killed osama bin laden and, caused the bay of pigs, and single handedly solved the cold war, and well, all the other stuff we know about him!!
Are you jealous of the attention Zippy got with their insensitive comments from yesterday?
Hopefully mckinleyville actually goes thru their calls and returns calls. Because eureka pd doesn’t. Neither does the district attorney. That is a fact.
Hmm tho I think ya may be a troll by the choice of examples,ill answer, most whitewater rafters have a pretty darn good knowledge of local geography, and often have favorite river spots they head to that are not necessarily easily accessed on foot.
Im seriously not being mean, highly encourage you and all of us for that matter to brush up on our critical thinking skills. ✌
Not a dog I would hunt.
Does anyone know if this fella went by Jesse Yesse and was a Medium? He looks remarkably like that fella, and im hoping thats not the case and he just looks similar.
Anyways, Im hoping all turns out well in the end, and that this guy is found.
This is him!!! He used to be one of my regulars. Super kind man.
Curiouser and curiouser…
Seems fit. Carrying a gallon of water reveals a connection to reality. Giving up the van is disturbing. Might of had a recent setback. Hope he has a hat. Maybe his note will provide helpful information.
Friends don’t leave 80 year friends alone at the cedar flat rest area in August..
If the 80 year old friend is supposed to be meeting up with family members, you wait for them to show up…
If they don’t show up, you bring your 80 year old friend back to his damn vehicle that’s parked at the airport…
Something ain’t adding up…
Why wouldn’t the friend have just picked up Jesse Austin at his house, allowing Jesse Austin to leave his truck parked at his own house…???
With friends like that, who needs enemies…???
Guy that allegedly dropped him off didn’t say anything about leaving him with his cane…?
More fishiness…
I think of Jesse now and then and search for any updates to no avail. Hoping he’s safe, or at peace and free from pain. He had many talents and was a love. Miss him.