Searchers Find Body Of Missing North Bay Hiker

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Five days into the search for a missing North Bay hiker his body has been found, authorities said. Jon Clifford, 71, of Santa Rosa, was reported missing after he did not return from a hike Saturday, Nov. 2 at Hood Mountain Regional Park east of Santa Rosa, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

As the search effort continued, 87 people from 14 different public-safety agencies were involved. The sheriff's office's helicopter Henry-1, tracking dogs and an off-road motorcycle team also supported the search.

Around 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, search- and-rescue team members found the body of Clifford in a creek bed at the southern border of the park, the sheriff's office said Friday.

Described as an avid hiker, Clifford enjoyed taking the McCormick Trail to Grandmother Tree, the Wildcat Trail in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and the property between the parks.

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"Our sincerest condolences go out to Clifford's family and friends," the sheriff's office said Friday morning.

"Nothing suspicious" was immediately found in the death, sheriff's Sgt. Juan Valencia told Patch, indicating Clifford may have died of natural causes.

The Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office extended its gratitude to the agencies who helped in the days-long search.

"Nothing is done alone in law enforcement."

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.