[UPDATE 8:58 a.m.] Juan Heredia Assists in Ongoing Eel River Search for Missing Covelo Woman
On the fourth day of the search for a missing elderly couple, their silver Jeep was recovered from the Eel River in a collaborrative effort with MCSO, search and rescue, swift water teams across the region, and Juan Heredia. [Photo courtesy of Diver Juan Heredia]
Highway 162 was closed for a time around 5 p.m. Friday as rescuers pulled the couple’s submerged vehicle from the river after four days of searching in cold, fast-moving water. Authorities confirmed that one person was found inside the vehicle. The other member of the couple remains missing and is believed to still be in the river.
Heredia arrived on scene Friday and worked alongside the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, search and rescue volunteers, fire personnel, and CHP during the coordinated recovery.
“He arrived and offered assistance and we gladly accepted,” Sheriff Matt Kendall told Redheaded Blackbelt. By the time Heredia reached the scene Friday, regional swift water teams had already narrowed down the vehicle’s location after getting a magnet hit Thursday, though fast-moving water had prevented them from confirming it. “He worked with our teams…We had a discussion about the debris locations, tracks and magnet hits then coordinated the rafts and the diver.”
Kendall stated Heredia was a welcome addition to the search efforts, “He was really easy to work with and took all of the pieces as we put together the puzzle.”
Heredia, a veteran diver with more than 30 years of experience, leads the nonprofit Angels Recovery Dive Team, a 501(c)(3) organization that specializes in locating missing persons in bodies of water. He is widely known for volunteering his services in difficult and emotionally charged recoveries, including the search for Baby Oliver in the Trinity River following a single vehicle collision. His work is donation-supported and frequently involves collaboration with local law enforcement and search and rescue agencies.
Heredia emphasized the unified approach taken by all responders in a social media post Friday evening.
“Today we found Gary, inside his car,” Heredia wrote of the recovery operation. “What stood out the most wasn’t just the recovery… it was how it happened. Every agency showed up with one mindset. Sheriff’s Department, Firefighters, Search and Rescue, CHP… and us. No boundaries. No hesitation. Just communication, trust, and respect.”
He added, “This is what it looks like when everyone comes together for a family. This is what service is supposed to be. When we work like this… families don’t feel alone. They feel supported, guided, and cared for every step of the way.”
Heredia confirmed to Redheaded Blackbelt that he intends to return this morning to dive again in search of the missing woman.
“Yes I will help tomorrow too,” he wrote Friday evening. “I [was] suppose to go back tonight to home, but I will dive in the morning for her.”
Saturday’s operations will again be led by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office with support from regional search and rescue teams. Crews are working within a narrowing window before an incoming storm system is expected to raise river levels early Sunday, potentially complicating recovery efforts.
When responders are on scene, Highway 162 near the crash site will be under one-way traffic control due to the narrow roadway and limited shoulder space. Authorities are urging motorists to use caution when traveling through the area and not to stop, gather, or impede emergency vehicles. The constrained corridor must remain accessible for rafts, dive equipment, and support vehicles needed for the ongoing search.
Support Local Rescue Efforts
Search and recovery operations like this rely heavily on volunteer agencies and community support. Mendocino County Search and Rescue is a volunteer-based team that responds to emergencies across the region, often in dangerous and physically demanding conditions. Those wishing to support their work can visit the Mendocino County Search and Rescue website for donation information or contribute through their official PayPal.
Angels Recovery Dive Team, led by Juan Heredia, is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides specialized underwater search services throughout the West Coast. Donations help cover fuel, equipment, training, and travel expenses. Supporters can learn more or contribute through the Angels Recovery Dive Team website and/or subscribe to his Facebook page to help Juan, help others.
UPDATE from the family:
To the people of Covelo / Round Valley friends and family,
It is with a broken heart that I share this update regarding the events that have been unfolding off Highway 162.On Tuesday morning, my grandparents, Gary and Yvonne Niesen, left Covelo around 0718 to meet Damon (great grandson) in Willits. When they did not arrive as planned, Damon drove Highway 162 to look for them. With a sick feeling in his stomach, he noticed a small disturbance in the grass. At the bottom of the hillside he found a bumper, a license plate, and other personal belongings. As he moved closer to the river, he discovered more of their items in the water and gathered what he could.
Today marks the end of day four of searching the river and its banks. We have searched every day from sun up to sun down. Diver Juan was contacted and located the vehicle today. Inside was Gary.
Yvonne is still missing. We will return in the morning to continue searching the river and river banks for her.
If you are traveling along 162, please watch for us on the roadside. We humbly ask that you help us keep an eye on the riverbanks as well. Any awareness, any extra set of eyes, matters.
While our hearts are shattered, we are profoundly grateful. The messages, calls, texts, meals, prayers, and the steady outpouring of love from this community are carrying us when we feel too weak to stand. You are lifting us in ways we cannot fully express.
Gary and Yvonne Niesen are lifelong Covelo residents. They built their life here, raised their family here, and were deeply rooted in the community. They are the proud parents of two sons, Walter and Fred Niesen.
Our family would like to extend our deepest thanks to the many agencies and individuals who have shown up without hesitation: Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, OES, CAL FIRE, Marin County Search and Rescue, Mendocino County Search and Rescue, Southern Humboldt Rescue Team, Rescue Solutions, Diver Juan and Mercedes, the swift water teams, CHP, Caltrans, Hopland Fire, Ukiah Valley Fire Authority, Laytonville Fire, South Coast Fire, Little Lake Fire, Albion Fire, Potter Valley Fire, Adventist Health, Bravo, Anker Lucier, and All In One Towing. Your professionalism, compassion, and tireless effort mean more than we can say.
If we have unintentionally missed acknowledging anyone who has supported this effort, please know it is not by design. We are deeply thankful to every person who has shown up, stepped in, prayed, searched, or carried us in any way.
I will continue to provide updates as I have them.
With gratitude and a very heavy heart,
The Niesen Family
Buckingham Family
Earlier:
- Authorities Respond to Possible Submerged Vehicle off Highway 162; Occupancy Unknown
- Search Efforts Resume After Vehicle Plunges into Eel River on SR-162
- River Runs High as Covelo Community Waits for Answers
- Search for Missing Covelo Couple Suspended for Third Day as Crews Battle Swift River Conditions
- Breaking News: Fourth Day of River Search Brings New Development in Case of Missing Covelo Couple
- After Four Days, River Gives Up Vehicle of Covelo Couple
Note: This article has been minimally updated after original publication for clarification purposes.
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Thank you for your recovery efforts.
Another worthy outfit is the Red Cross; next time there’s a house fire or a wider emergency, those are the volunteers that show up to help you out. Local American Red Cross chapters are largely volunteer-based, with paid staff providing coordination and support. More than 90% of the American Red Cross “workforce” (the people carrying out the work) are volunteers, including at regional and local levels.
There’s been a push lately to cut funding for emergency readiness. The paid staff that provides coordination for these groups should be defended.
Nicely written article. Condolences to all. TG for responders.
A very nice article about all the first responders and others who searched so hard to find the couple. It ended on a sad note when they were located. My most sincere condolences to their family and friends. A heart felt thank you to the first responders who never gave up. They showed love, respect and dedication. What more could you ask for. May God Bless them.
Might see if any drone ‘pilots’ are available.
Suppose that most of the S/R outfits now have them.
As a part time resident, I feel crushed over this. I have once driven this road where the river water was lapping the sides of hwy 162 during a very heavy rainy period on NY Eve in the mid 90’s. I offer my condolences to the Niesens, and truly hope that Yvonne is found, in order to offer closure to their suffering family. May they find peace.
Great effort by everyone including Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue who has been assisting with their swift water rescue team, on the scene, in the water every day.