UPDATE, 2:40 p.m.: The Sheriff’s Office has some additional intel:

On Sept. 2 at about 1:30 p.m., a friend of missing person, Jesse Austin, contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to report he had given Austin a ride.  The friend stated he picked Austin up from the airport on Aug. 24, 2025, and transported him to the Cedar Flat Rest area on Highway 299. 

According to the friend, Austin stated he was meeting a family member and was last seen sitting at a picnic table.  Austin was in possession of a backpack, possibly gray in color, a blue waterproof bag, a gallon of water and some food.

If you have any information about Jesse or his whereabouts, please contact Investigator Mike Fridley at (707) 441-3024.

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ORIGINAL POST:

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s help to locate missing person Jesse Bill Austin, 80, of McKinleyville. 

On 08-24-25, a concerned citizen contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to report a friend, Jesse Bill Austin, had left a concerning note at their residence. The note stated Austin had left his Silver/Gold 2001 GMC van at the airport in McKinleyville. Deputies responded to the airport and located Austin’s van parked in long term parking. Deputies viewed the airport security video where Austin parked the van and walked towards the terminal. He entered an area which was not recorded and was not seen leaving. At about the same time a silver sedan, possibly Toyota, is seen leaving from the same location. 

During the initial investigation, deputies checked with the airlines and rental car companies which had no record of Austin making a purchase. Austin’s cell phone information provided his most recent activity was near Railroad Dr. in McKinleyville. The reporting party also stated that Austin had been a white-water rafting guide. 

At this point in the investigation, it is unclear where Austin went after airport. It is possible that a citizen gave Austin a ride from the airport. He is described as an 80-year-old white male, gray hair, blue eyes, 5’9”, and about 180 pounds and is known to walk with a cane.

Anyone with information on Austin’s whereabouts is asked to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or Investigator Mike Fridley at (707) 441-3024.