California authorities find woman that went missing for 12 days: she's 'dehydrated and emaciated'

SEATTLE - Authorities located a California woman who had gone missing on Aug. 26 after being last being seen at a mining claim camp in Nevada City, California.

Esmeralda Marie Pineda, 24, was rescued on Sept. 6 at the top of a river canyon in the vicinity of the Yuba River and Sweetland Creek, north of Sacramento, by Nevada County authorities. According to the sheriff's office, Pineda was found alive but "severely dehydrated and emaciated."

Pineda required immediate medical attention and was transported to a hospital for treatment after being airlifted off the canyon by California Highway Patrol. The extent of her condition and any injuries remains unknown.

The South Yuba River canyon stretches for 20 miles and is a popular destination for hikers. More than a dozen trails run through the steep rugged area, with a climate tends to be mild with hot, dry summers.

"The Sheriff's Office and our search and rescue volunteers covered extensive ground throughout our search, and we are thankful today to find her alive," said NCSO Sergeant Dustin Moe.

According to authorities, the area was "treacherous" and required skilled Nevada County Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers to rappel in and out of the canyon to look for Pineda.

A great number of hikers are attracted to the state of California each year due to its diverse landscapes, but nature can be dangerous too. Just earlier this year, a group of 13 hikers went missing within the zone of the 54-acre Royal fire in Tahoe National Forest.

According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons (NamUS) database, more than 600,000 people go missing each year. Luckily though, the vast majority of missing persons cases are quickly resolved. For example, in 2021, 521,705 missing person cases were reported, more than 485,000 of which were resolved within the year.

As of September 9, 3,075 cases of missing persons remain open in the state of California. According to data from NamUS, the 'Golden State' has the largest number of missing persons in the country, as well as the highest rate in the contiguous United States at 7.61 missing for every 100,000 people.

The state of Alaska, known for its vast wilderness and abundant outdoor experiences, has the highest rate of missing persons by any U.S. state, accounting for 163.76 missing people per 100,000 inhabitants.

Although many people continue to go missing each year, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons database says that the number of cases has steadily declined since 1997, when nearly a million people were reported missing.