Missing man located and is safe
“There was an incredible amount of concern for this young man’s wellbeing and his ability to stay safe and alive after he was reported missing. Search and rescue missions are no easy task, especially with few or no clues and a vast rugged area to cover. This response was huge and we thank all involved for investing time and resources to find this young man.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
HUMBOLDT COUNTY – On August 3, 2026, the Humboldt County Sherrif’s Office (HCSO) extended its sincere gratitude to the multiple people and agencies that responded to the urgent call for help in locating Jake Jakubowski, 23, who was reported missing on the afternoon of July 30th.
Considering the serious concerns for Jakubowski’s well-being, the HCSO immediately launched a coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) operation. Search efforts began that same evening and continued through the night and into the following day without stopping until Jakubowswki was safely located. Jakubowski had survived the ordeal without food or water while alone in the rugged wilderness, highlighting the urgency and importance of the coordinated search effort. Searchers covered miles of rugged terrain using ground teams, drones, SAR K9 teams, a fixed-wing aircraft, a helicopter, and other search resources.
As local searchers worked overnight and into the next day, additional Search and Rescue volunteers from across California drove through the night to Humboldt County to assist with the next operational period. The HCSO said it is especially grateful to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) for maintaining a strong Search and Rescue Mutual Aid System. When faced with a search covering a large area and very few clues, the ability to quickly request approximately 50 additional trained searchers and K9 teams is invaluable.
The HCVSO also thanked the members of the public who shared information and remained vigilant throughout the search. Community awareness ultimately played a critical role in the missing man’s safe recovery. A passerby recognized Jake from the media posts and alerted authorities, allowing deputies to locate him.
HCSO extended its gratitude to the:
- California Rescue Dog Association,
- Marin County Search and Rescue,
- Mendocino County Search and Rescue,
- Trinity County Search and Rescue,
- Siskiyou County Search and Rescue,
- Butte County Search and Rescue,
- Santa Clara County Search and Rescue,
- Sonoma County Search and Rescue,
- Napa County Search and Rescue,
- California Search and Rescue,
- California State Parks,
- United States Coast Guard,
- California National Guard,
- CAL OES FIRIS,
- Humboldt County Public Works Roads Division,
- and the Honeydew Store.
