UPDATE: Lt. Steve Knight of the Sheriff’s Office in response to a question explained that the woman had not drowned.

Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Press Release:

On 05-30-2012, approximately 1:30 p.m. the California Highway Patrol received a 911 call regarding a female possibly in the water at Big Lagoon. The California Highway Patrol, Humboldt County Sheriffs Office, Arcata Ambulance, Cal Fire and the United States Coast Guard responded to the scene. Once on scene the deputies learned the 47 year old Asian female, from Eureka, was picking flowers along US 101, north end of Big Lagoon near mile marker 110 with another adult female relative at approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning. They became separated and the female relative could not find the victim. The relative searched the area with no success, so she called the victim’s husband and her husband notifying them of the missing victim. They responded to the scene and assisted in the search.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. they located the victim approximately twenty to thirty feet down the hillside
against a tree and unresponsive. They attempted C.P.R. and called 911. Emergency Personnel determined the victim was deceased and the Humboldt County Coroners Office was notified. It appears the victim fell down the hill and there are no signs of foul play at this time. The investigation is turned over to the Corner.s Office.