See Spot: Investigating Pt. Reyes' Missing Women

Washed out to sea. I live near Ocean Beach and every summer, you will hear a Coast Guard helicopter, the sounds of a fire engine, and the SFFD's surf/rescue truck. It means another unfortunate person has drowned. You get used to the sound; it's part of life out hard by the Pacific. There's no mystery about this disappearance. Occam's razor.

These are disappearances. Plural.
And you might be right. But if I go for a walk by the ocean and don't come back, I hope my friends don't shrug their shoulders and "get used to the sound." I hope they at least consider every possibility and take a good look around before tossing a wreath off a pier and getting on with their lives.

hey, thanks for driving out there yesterday and doing this article. i went to north beach also- i knew silvia lange and her disappearance is very upsetting. she was an experienced
hiker. i don't think she would have gone down to the beach if the waves were that high. there is tons of great open space to walk a dog at north beach- away from the water. and the absence of the bodies is also disturbing. i think they should have washed ashore by now. the problem with the rogue wave theory is that no one saw one. there were surfers in the water there and they saw nothing extraordinary. and that theory allows the park service and the local authorities to stop the search. i live in marin and i sure hope there isn't another nut case out here murdering women on the beach.... but i would feel better if i knew for sure that those women were actually accidental victims of a 'rogue' wave.
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I love a good mystery as much as the next guy, and obviously I have no idea what happened in this situation. I am also mindful of the young couple slain in Jenner several years ago while camping on the beach. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic to the victims, either. It's just, well, usually the obvious solution is correct. No signs of foul play, no motive, and a very plausible explanation (drowning). But this is a very well-written piece in any event.

The remoteness of Point Reyes is what I love most about it. On a trip last summer, we passed by all those old ranches that seemed somewhat deserted, except we did see a new born calf sitting along the side of the road with its mother. It's truly tragic that these women all disappeared, though. I wonder if law enforcement knows more than it is saying?

WAIT..... Poirot was gay?

Thanks for the video. I am one of Silvia's nieces and hunger for answers. To see the beach where she went missing as you walked along discussing your ideas helped me connect by a frail gossamer thread to her. My memory of her is vivid, my love undying. I sit, perched on the edge of my chair waiting for news, something... anything.

You're spot on that something about this whole thing doesn't seem right. It hasn't to me since the first woman went missing. After the second woman went missing, I was surprised that they were only considering the possibility of both of them washing out to sea.

And, of course, that could have happened. But 2 in 2 weeks is weird. Both without a trace. And I hadn't heard about the woman's body found further north. That just creeps me out more.

I was at North Beach the day before Silvia Lange went missing. I go there all the time and to McClure's, too. At least I used to.

My husband often goes walking off doing his photography thing and I'll pick a quiet spot to enjoy the waves. This time I was creeped out. Can't explain why but I was thinking of the woman who'd gone missing at McClures and did not feel safe sitting there. It was the first time I ever felt so unsafe that I got up and went to find my husband. Really.

That was the day BEFORE Silvia Lange went missing. I've been going to those beaches for years and have never found the remoteness unsafe. Before now.

Something is just not right with this whole situation. Because as the Park Ranger said, they'd usually wash up somewhere by now.

If one is going to include the woman that drowned in Sonoma County then one should also include the Berkeley woman that died in the surf in Pacifica on Sat. As reported in the Chronicle: "Police say 37-year-old Amy Kellen Nicholson walking near the surf line when a wave knocked her down around 2:30 p.m. Saturday." I suppose that the man that was swept into the ocean last week up in Humboldt County (Press Democrat: TRINIDAD — The Coast Guard has ended the search for a man who was swept out to sea while walking on a remote Humboldt County beach) should be counted too. The Pacifica death and the Humboldt death were both witnessed so there are no conspiracy theories nor can you blame the boogeyman. By the way, they still have not found the Humboldt victim.

North Beach and McClures Beach can be, and often times is, treacherous. I was at McClures recently and witnessed 25' waves. After they hit the rocks the spray was 50' high. I was at North Beach recently. There was no way that I would go on that beach. It's like a witches' stew with an undertow like no other.

Others have drowned at North Beach including a man a few years ago that went in after his dog. The man drowned the man lived.

Please people, stay away from the surf in the winter.

Yes it is very strange these ladies are missing. I feel someone is doing this too. I also feel it is someone who is educated in law enforcement, and knows how to cover their tracks. Remember the young couple who was shot as they slept in Jenner.The gun was supposedly a rare gun. Many people I have known who had an interest in law enforcement, also had a gun collection.I am by no means taking a slap at law enforcement officers. But it is something to look at.It's just a feeling I have. No bodies found recently except for the poor girl in the creek.And apparently her car was parked oddly.No this doesn't look like an accident to me.I hope they don't just close the case for lack of evidence.

I saw the whole thing--some dude named Occam swooped down in a Coast Guard helicopter and knifed those chicks with his razor.

You guys are like CSI:SF.

hi beth, would it be possible for you to email me when you will be doing another update? katherine truitt is my aunt and a site has been made for the most recent news on her findings. http://findmykat.org

thank you for the story, my family and friends truly do appreciate the interest. we also find it more than odd that she disappeared. she had been hiking this trail for over 20 years.

facebook.com/lecakebox

sarah marie.

Just a thought....
Rogue Wave or Rogue Ranger?
A park ranger is a trusted individual.
The ranger's comment you mentioned is just a bit curious.
In San Diego an on duty CHP officer lured, and then killed, a young woman several years ago. He was interviewed on the news right after the murder. Creepy.
Sure hope the authorities are checking ALL possibilities.

Katherine Truitt is my daughter--MISSING SINCE JANUARY 9, 2010 - MCCLURES BEACH, PT REYES, CA. I would appreciate any and all help in finding her; your article speaks volumes and ask that when the weather permits to go back out there and do a rewrite for Katherine. She has been going to Pt. Reyes, McClures for over 20 years; knows the beach; the waves; and will not rest until they find something...........it's been over 30 days now............this is the most painful heart hurting experience in our life; we cannot believe this happening......................the newspapers have been unfair in their assumptions............

I watched the SF news coverage of these disappearances and I'm especially troubled by Sylvia Lange because she is an experienced hiker and familiar with her surroundings.
Has anyone considered hiring a private investigator? The limited resources of government offers a thin veneer of actual investigation. I can't help but wonder if the situation were different and several men were missing that we might see more concentrated efforts. I hate to even say that but some of the callous comments on this thread are written by men.

Hi Kat
I would love to talk to you about your aunt's case
If you would contact me direct at karen@karenanderson.net

Hi Sarah T,
I would love to talk to you about your daughter's case
If you would contact me direct at karen@karenanderson.net

Hi Kat:

Could you contact me as I know your aunt. Thanks, Betty Drumm

Betty, I need your contact information please...