Redwood Empire News

On 4/12/2024, at about 4:00 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the report of missing person in the Southern Humboldt County area. The missing person was identified as 65-year-old Terry McInnes of Piercy. It was learned that McInnes was last seen by friends and neighbors on or around March 24th, 2024. The reporting party was concerned based on the lack of contact with McInnes due to it being out of character. As McInnes is a resident of Mendocino County, a missing person report was taken and the information was forwarded to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

On 04/17/2024, at about 8:00 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and informed that McInnes’ vehicle had been located unoccupied in the East Branch of the South Fork of the Eel River just north of the Humboldt/Mendocino county line. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area and conducted a search, with assistance from a California Highway Patrol helicopter, in an effort to locate McInnes. This search continued the following day with deputies being assisted by members of the Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue team. Preliminary information suggests that McInnes may have attempted to forge a section of private roadway that crosses the river in that area during periods of significantly increased water flow at the end of March, resulting in the vehicle being swept downstream. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has been working with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and is continuing to conduct search efforts in the area.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office stated, "Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 463-4411 (M.C.S.O. Case # 2024-7377), the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539."

The search efforts for Terry McInnes continue, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation.