Missing Man Found Dead After Apparent Fall Off Mendocino Coast Cliff, Investigation Ongoing

The following is a press release issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:

On 05/17/2024 at approximately 10:46 A.M., Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office deputies were summoned to assist California State Parks Officers in attempting to locate a reported missing person in the area of the Jughandle State Park south of Fort Bragg, CA (15700 North Highway 1). State Parks personnel located a vehicle in the parking lot of Jughandle State Park that was reportedly parked at the location for several days. The vehicle registration returned to Gregory Noyes of Point Arena, CA. Noyes had been reported missing on 05/15/2024 to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office where he was reported to have been traveling to on 05/12/2024. Noyes had not been heard from since 05/12/2024 when he was reportedly traveling to Marin County.

Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a hasty search of the Jughandle State Park with State Parks Officers and quickly located a large-brimmed hat resting on the cliff edge where the park reaches the Pacific Ocean. The body of a white male adult subject was located approximately 50 feet below the cliff edge on the rocks below. Sheriff’s Office deputies and State Park Officers traversed down the cliff to the subject who was immediately determined to be deceased. The deceased subject was identified by Sheriff’s Office deputies as Gregory Noyes based on photographs and Noyes’ California Driver License. Noyes appeared to have sustained several severe injuries from falling down the cliff to the rocks where he was located. Sheriff’s Office deputies made contact with Noyes’ legal next-of-kin, who was notified of this investigation. 

During the coroner’s investigation, investigating Deputies determined that Noyes’ fall may have been accidental, and no evidence of foul play was noted. Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to call the 24-hour non-emergency Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086. Information can also be provided anonymously through the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100. 

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