A 78-year-old man has been missing since the summer in the mountain community of Alpine, California, and earlier this month authorities finally found some of his clothes and personal belongings.
Gil Clark’s body has still not been found, but officials with the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office now believe the man may have died or a medical emergency near his rural home left him incapacitated and a bear or mountain lion dragged his body away, according to the Sheriff’s Office’s latest case. Deputies declined to say where the clothes were found, but said the items were found after an expanded search.
Clark lives in Goodyears Bar, a small town about 60 miles northwest of Lake Tahoe. During an extensive search around his home, officers noticed “significant bear activity” and neighbors reported mountain lions in the area.
Gil Clark was reported missing in August.
(Sierra County Sheriff’s Office)
Clark was first reported missing in August and was last seen that month in nearby Downieville, where he was reportedly dropped off by a friend, officials said.
Officers initially focused their search on a four-mile stretch between Downieville and Goodyears Bar, where Clark was known to walk, officials said.
But in mid-November, deputies expanded their search and discovered Clark’s clothing and personal belongings. Following the discovery, additional search and rescue teams were sent to the area, as well as four cadaver dogs, but officials said no further evidence was found.
The case remains open and deputies are asking anyone with information about Clark’s location to contact the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 289-3700.
