Missing Onslow County woman found alive in Colorado, sheriff office says
INYO COUNTY, CA (WWAY) — A North Carolina woman who was reported missing late last year has been found alive in Colorado, according to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office in California.
Kelsey Pittman had not been heard from since November 2024, according to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office. Her disappearance sparked a months-long search across state lines.
On Feb. 9, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about a suspicious vehicle near an area known as “The Pads” or Slab City. Slab City is an off-grid desert community located in southeastern California. The area is known for its unconventional residents, many of whom live in RVs or makeshift shelters. While some stay only during the winter months, others reside there year-round without access to basic services like running water, electricity or law enforcement presence.
Deputies responded and confirmed that the vehicle, a 2009 Chevrolet HHR, was registered to Pittman. A search of the car and surrounding area turned up no signs of her.
In the months that followed, the sheriff’s office led a multi-agency investigation, partnering with drone teams, cadaver dog units, search and rescue volunteers, and other law enforcement agencies. Despite extensive ground and aerial searches from February through June, no additional evidence was found.
The sheriff’s office announced Thursday that Pittman has since been located alive in Colorado. No details about her condition or how she was found have been released.
