65-year-old Andrew Navarro, a resident of the Mendocino Coastal town of Elk, has not been seen since Wednesday evening, January 27, 2021. According to his daughter Colombe McGowen, her mother went to bed early that evening and woke up Thursday morning thinking Navarro was sleeping in their studio above the garage. Navarro’s wife came to realize that he was not asleep in the studio and did not return throughout that day. By sunset Thursday evening, she contacted Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and officially reported her husband missing.
McGowen said her father has diabetes and, as of late, had been acting confused, leading to concern that he could have wandered away from his home on Elk Meadow Road in a state of “diabetic delirium.”
Navarro either left Wednesday evening or Thursday morning without a car, his keys, wallet, or cell phone, or most concerning to his family, his insulin.
McGowen said on Thursday night, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived and began to comb the area for signs of Navarro on ATVs, and deputies searched Friday as well. MCSO told Navarro’s family that more search efforts are planned.
McGowen said her father Andrew Navarro is 65-years-old, 5’ 4’’, and approximately 140 pounds. He has brown eyes and salt & pepper hair. Navarro has a close shaved beard and McGowen said her dad has a “full head of hair.” He has three tattoos: a Mayan calendar on his back, a corona dragon on his left calf, and a moon and star on his right shoulder. His family suspects he left the house wearing black sweat pants and a black long sleeve shirt.
We have reached out to Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Captain Greg Van Patten for a statement regarding the missing man but, as of this morning, have yet to hear back.
Due to Navarro’s potential diabetic delirium, he might not be thinking clearly. If anyone has information about Anthony Navarro’s whereabouts, contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707)463-4086.
UPDATE 9:14 a.m.
A press release issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office this morning provided more information as to the status and search for missing Elk man Andrew Navarro.
The press release explains that deputies were dispatched on Thursday, January 28, 2020 at around 6:00 p.m. regarding a missing person in Elk, California where they learned Andrew Navarro had last been seen the night before and family told deputies he seemed to left with out wallet, phone, or his insulin to treat his diabetes.
Deputies partnered with the Elk Fire Department began to search the beach and nearby hillsides.
The press release revealed that an analysis of Navarro’s cellphone found text messages of a “despondent nature” and also learned a firearm was missing from the home.
The press release explains that the potential of Navarro having a firearm institutes the requirement “to not have Search & Rescue volunteers initially activated (up to seven days) to search for armed or potential armed missing persons under these circumstances.”
Search attempts are continuing today partnering with the United State Coast Guard.
The totality of the press release can be read below:
On 01-28-2021 at about 6:00 PM, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a missing person report in the 35900 block of Elk Meadow Road in Elk, California.
Prior to their arrival, Deputies learned Andrew James Navarro suffered from diabetes and frequently walked to the Greenwood State Beach just west of Elk.
Fearing Navarro had suffered a medical emergency, Deputies requested the assistance of the Elk Fire Department to search the beach.
Upon their arrival, Deputies learned Navarro had not been located. Deputies continued to search the area, during the night, but were unable to locate Navarro.
During their investigation, Deputies learned Navarro was last seen by his wife at approximately 10:00 PM the previous evening.
Navarro’s wife woke the next morning to find Navarro was not home. Navarro’s cell phone, diabetic medication, backpack, wallet and vehicle were left at his residence.
Deputies found text messaging on Navarro’s cell phone of a despondent nature and learned a handgun was missing from the residence.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has an operating procedure that follows an industry standard in California to not have Search & Rescue volunteers initially activated (up to seven days) to search for armed or potential armed missing persons under these circumstances.
Instead, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office deployed Deputy Sheriffs on 01-28-2021 and 01-29-2021 to conduct search efforts in the area of Navarro’s residence and the nearby beaches.
Search efforts by Deputy Sheriff’s are scheduled to continue on 01-30-2021 with the assistance of a helicopter from the United States Coast Guard, weather permitting.
Navarro is described as being a white male adult, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 165 pounds. Navarro has gray hair and brown eyes. Navarro was last seen wearing a green and black beanie, black long sleeve shirt and black sweatpants.
This missing person investigation is ongoing at this time and anyone with information about Navarro’s current whereabouts is urged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office by calling 707-463-4086.
UPDATE 12:50 p.m.
Andrew Navarro was found deceased this morning approximately one mile away from his home, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
Scene investigation suggests Navarro died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
