Search Continues For Missing 79-Year-Old Woman In Portola Valley Preserve

Felix Dubois

4 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

4.1

Share

Details of the Missing Woman

Description and Last Seen

Eleanor Vance, 79 years old, is described as being 5'4" tall and weighing approximately 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing a blue fleece jacket, beige pants, and brown hiking boots. She has short, gray hair and wears glasses. Eleanor has a noticeable scar above her left eyebrow. She was last seen near the Redwood Creek Trailhead within the Portola Valley Preserve. She suffers from early-stage dementia and requires medication for blood pressure. Her family is understandably distraught and pleads for the public's help.

• Height: 5'4"
• Weight: 130 pounds
• Clothing: Blue fleece jacket, beige pants, brown hiking boots.
• Distinguishing features: Short gray hair, glasses, scar above left eyebrow.
• Last known location: Redwood Creek Trailhead, Portola Valley Preserve.
• Medical conditions: Early-stage dementia, requires blood pressure medication.
• Contact: Family contact information is being withheld at this time to protect their privacy while law enforcement actively pursues the investigation.

Search and Rescue Efforts

Agencies Involved

Multiple agencies are collaborating on the extensive search and rescue operation for Eleanor Vance. These include the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, the Portola Valley Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, and several volunteer search and rescue teams with specialized expertise in wilderness search and recovery.

Search Methods

The search for the missing 79-year-old woman is employing a multi-pronged approach. Ground search teams are meticulously combing the extensive trails of the Portola Valley Preserve. Aerial support, including helicopters and drones, is being utilized to cover a wider area. Highly trained canine units are also assisting in the search, leveraging their keen sense of smell to detect any trace of Eleanor. The challenging terrain, including steep slopes and dense vegetation, presents significant obstacles for the search teams. The search is focused primarily on areas near the Redwood Creek Trailhead and surrounding trails.

• Agencies: San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, Portola Valley Police Department, CHP, Volunteer Search and Rescue teams.
• Methods: Ground search, aerial search (helicopters, drones), canine units.
• Terrain challenges: Steep slopes, dense vegetation.
• Focus areas: Redwood Creek Trailhead and surrounding trails.

Public Assistance and Information

How the Public Can Help

The public can significantly aid the search efforts. While it is vital to avoid interfering with the ongoing search operations within the preserve, anyone who may have seen Eleanor Vance, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is urged to contact authorities immediately. Any information, however small, could prove crucial in locating her.

Contact Information

Anyone with information regarding Eleanor Vance's whereabouts is urged to contact the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office immediately at (650) 599-1500. Even seemingly minor details could be vital pieces of the puzzle.

• How to help: Report any sightings, no matter how small. Avoid the search area unless you're an authorized member of a search team.
• Contact: San Mateo County Sheriff's Office: (650) 599-1500
• Importance of information: Every detail is valuable.

Safety Precautions in the Portola Valley Preserve

Tips for Hikers

The Portola Valley Preserve offers beautiful hiking trails, but safety should always be a priority. Remember to:

• Always inform someone of your hiking plans, including your intended route and estimated return time.
• Stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost.
• Carry essential supplies, including water, a map, a first-aid kit, and a fully charged cell phone.

Conclusion

The search for 79-year-old Eleanor Vance, missing in the Portola Valley Preserve, continues. Law enforcement and volunteers are working tirelessly, employing various search methods to locate her. We urge everyone to share any information that could help bring Eleanor home safely. Even a seemingly insignificant detail could be the key to finding her. Please contact the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office at (650) 599-1500 immediately if you have any information. Help bring Eleanor Vance home safely; this missing person in Portola Valley needs your help. Every piece of information counts in this urgent missing person search in Portola Valley.