Silvia Lange, a 77-year-old resident of Nicasio, California, was last seen on January 23, 2010, at the Point Reyes National Seashore. An experienced hiker who was familiar with the area, Lange had gone to the North Beach area to walk her dog, Hettie. Concerns for her whereabouts arose when Hettie was found alone near a parking lot that evening. Park rangers subsequently discovered Lange's vehicle with her two other dogs, Neria and Sika, inside. At the time of her disappearance, Lange was described as being 5 feet tall and weighing 145 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was reportedly wearing a red raincoat, a white down jacket, and dark pants.
Lange was known to be in excellent health and led a very active life. She was a former psychiatric nurse who had taught college courses and published articles on mental health. A dedicated volunteer, she trained service dogs for Canine Companions for Independence and also gave her time to the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Angel Island State Park, and the Nicasio Historical Society. Friends described her as "extremely upbeat and really engaged and very lively."
An extensive search was launched for Silvia Lange, involving approximately 50 people, three dog teams, and a mounted patrol. Despite these efforts, no trace of her was ever found. The prevailing theory among authorities is that Lange likely fell while walking Hettie and was swept into the ocean by a sneaker wave. A friend of Lange's expressed a similar concern, suggesting that Hettie, a strong, young dog, may have pulled on the leash, causing Lange to fall. Her body has never been recovered.
Last Seen: Jan 23, 2010
