Santa Cruz County Search and Rescue

Identification on recovered body

The body recovered on January 18, 2026, in the area of Smith Grade and Moore Ranch Road has been identified as 73-year-old Jeanne Burke.

The Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to Ms. Burke’s family and friends during this tragic time.

We are grateful to the many agencies that assisted in the search efforts, as well as to the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team for their persistence and dedication in locating Ms. Burke despite the challenges they faced.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office also thanks the community for its continued support, care, and patience throughout the search

We’re still working tirelessly on the ongoing missing person investigation.

If you live near the Rio Beach Flats area and have any camera footage (home cameras, Ring/doorbell, surveillance, or dashcam), we are looking for footage between November 5th and 7th. Please contact the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office so that detectives can review it.

Please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 831-471-1121. We appreciate you help!

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**UPDATE**

The search for Jeanne is ongoing. Search and Rescue continues to follow up on leads and conduct search efforts. New information has been developed that Jeanne was last seen yesterday at 4:30 p.m. in the area of Moore Ranch Road. If you live in or are in the surrounding area, please check your property and cameras, if you have them. If you have any information on Jeanne’s whereabouts, please contact us at 831-471-1121.

If you see orange, it might be the SAR team near the Santa Cruz Harbor conducting their monthly training.