News Release

Search Underway in Shenandoah National Park

A Search and Rescue Ranger repels from a waterfall.
Members of the Search and Rescue team employ technical rope rescue techniques to search the face of Overall Run Falls. 

NPS photo

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News Release Date: May 19, 2023

Contact: Claire Comer, 540-999-3500 x3183

LURAY, VA – A search is underway in Shenandoah National Park for Mateo Cobo Zevallos. Mr. Zevallos was reported missing to Fairfax County Police May 9, 2023. His vehicle was discovered in the park Tuesday, May 16. 

Mr. Zevallos was last seen May 5 leaving his home enroute to George Mason University. He was wearing gray sweatpants and a plaid flannel shirt. He is 5’9”, 190 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. He may have been carrying a North Face backpack. 

Following a hasty search Tuesday evening, Shenandoah activated a full-scale search operation early Wednesday. The following trails and adjacent areas are closed for search operations: Overall Run, Traces, Mathews Arm, Tuscarora, Beecher Ridge, and Thompson Hollow. Several parking areas are reserved for Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel. 

The search is led by Shenandoah National Park Search and Rescue personnel, aided by Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Fairfax County Police, Virginia State Police, as well as numerous volunteer SAR organizations including Piedmont SAR, Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue Group, Old Rag Mountain Stewards, Virginia Rescue Dog Association, Christian Ministries SAR, SAR Tracking Institute, Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, Blue and Grey Rescue Dogs, TrotSAR, and K9 Alert.  

If anyone thinks they may have seen Mr. Zevallos, please call 540-999-3422. 

 

Photos are all public domain and NPS-captured. The waterfall in the technical rescue photo is Overall Run Falls.  

Additional photos and video footage (also public domain and NPS captured) can be downloaded from https://www.flickr.com/gp/snpphotos/2Du4928XP9

 

- www.nps.gov/shen -

About the National Park Service: Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of 423 national park sites in the United States and its territories. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with millions of people every year. Learn more at www.nps.gov

 



Last updated: May 19, 2023

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Shenandoah National Park
3655 U.S. Highway 211 East

Luray, VA 22835

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540 999-3500
Emergency Phone: 1-800-732-0911

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