Missing Man Sought in Forest of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Date: November 17, 2011
Contact: Jim Milestone, [phone]

Brian George Brunell, presumed missing in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

National Park Service Rangers, Shasta County Sheriff's Department, Shasta County Search and Rescue Teams and the California Highway Patrol helicopter have been searching the forests of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area around the Mill Creek and Boulder Creek Falls area in search of Mr. Brian George Brunell. Mr. Brunell is a white male, 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, and was born March 7, 1963. Mr. Brunell was last seen at his sister's house in Pleasant Hill, California, on October 31, 2011. Mr. Brunell was depressed about being out of work for several months and has financial issues. Mr. Brunell's car was found abandoned by park staff at the Boulder Creek Falls Trailhead about a mile from the Carr Powerhouse.

Over twenty-five people were involved in the search from the Sheriff's Department, Shasta County Search and Rescue Teams, search dog teams, CHP helicopter, and National Park Service Rangers. An incident Command Center was established at the Carr Powerhouse to coordinate the search efforts on November 16 and 17. It is believed Mr. Brunell's car had been at the Boulder Creek Trailhead for several days. No evidence of Mr. Brunell was located beyond his car, and the search will be scaled back to an ongoing search by Park Rangers.

If anyone has any information to assist law enforcement in locating Mr. Brunell, please contact Shasta County Sheriff's Office at 530-245-6540 or the National Park Service 24 hour dispatch 530-242-3431.

-NPS-