Missing Sonoma County Man Found Near Bodega Bay

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A Rohnert Park man reported missing was found in Bodega Bay inside his Tesla submerged in the coastal waters after a 10-day search.

Authorities identified the man as Kale Gonick-Hallows.

He was found dead on Friday in the driver’s seat of his bright blue 2023 Model Y Tesla submerged in the waters off Schoolhouse Beach in Bodega Bay, according to Rohnert Park police.

The discovery followed a multi-agency search for Gonick-Hallows along the Sonoma Coast.
Authorities said there is no indication of foul play.

Gonick-Hallows was last seen Jan. 5, when he left his Rohnert Park apartment and drove away during a storm.

His mother, Gail Gonick-Hallows, reported him missing the following day, prompting a multi-agency search involving the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and California State Parks. Family members, friends, and community volunteers also joined the search, coordinating efforts and mapping routes across west Sonoma County.

Early Friday, CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit found a piece of the vehicle near Schoolhouse Beach, according to Rohnert Park police. Later that day, the department requested assistance from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, which launched an aerial search and eventually spotted the submerged Tesla.

California State Parks divers found Gonick-Hallows in the driver's seat. They recovered his body, but the vehicle remained submerged as of Tuesday, police said.

Investigators believe Gonick-Hallows crashed near the north parking lot of Schoolhouse Beach, likely within the first few days after he was reported missing. The cause is still under investigation.

Gonick-Hallows was known for his commitment to social justice and community service, according to his mother. He volunteered regularly with the San Francisco Pride parade and with the Ceres Community Project in Sebastopol, which provides meals to people facing serious illness, his mother told The Press Democrat.

He graduated from Sonoma State University in 2024 with highest honors in psychology. He had applied to graduate programs to become a psychotherapist, following his parents’ path, according to The Press Democrat.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of Kale Gonick-Hallows during this difficult time,” Rohnert Park police said in a statement.

The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety encouraged anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm to seek immediate support. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 for confidential assistance.

Anyone with information related to the case should contact the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Detective Sgt. Quinn at (707) 588-3514.