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Family members reported Tony Nosow of Landers, California and Helen Melnyk of Lakewood, California overdue after a weekend trip in Nosow's four-wheel-drive Chevy Silverado pickup truck. Park rangers were notified on Sunday night, November 25 that Nosow and Melnyk intended to visit Joshua Tree National Park on Saturday, November 24, to drive some of area's backcountry roads. Interviews with park staff led rangers to believe that a vehicle with a driver matching Mr. Nosow's description entered the park about mid-morning on Saturday. Rangers searched park backcountry roads on Monday, but neither the people nor the vehicle was found. The California Highway Patrol conducted an aerial search, using a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter, in an effort to see if the vehicle was driven off-road. The aerial search was also unsuccessful. At present, it is uncertain if Melnyk or Nosow remain in the park or left the park before they were reported overdue. Park rangers have no information about where they might have been intending to visit while in the park. A missing persons report has been filed with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in Lakewood, California. Persons with information about the whereabouts of Helen Melnyk or Tony Nosow are asked to call the Federal Interagency Communications Center at 909-383-5651. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015