CA DANIELLE STALEY: Missing from Rio Del Mar State Beach, CA - 6 Nov 2025 - Age 35

https://ktla.com/news/california/foul-play-may-be-involved-sheriff-says-of-utah-woman-missing-in-california/

‘Foul play may be involved,’ sheriff says of Utah woman missing in California​

Investigators fear foul play may be involved in the disappearance of a 35-year-old woman from Utah who has been missing for nearly a week after taking a trip to California, officials announced.

Danielle Staley was reportedly last seen with a group of people just before 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Rio Del Mar State Beach, about 10 miles east of Santa Cruz, officials with the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office said.

In the department’s updated news release on Nov. 9, officials said, “New information indicates she may be at risk, and foul play may be involved.”

Investigators, according to SFGATE, said the 35-year-old arrived in California’s Central Coast with a friend near the end of October and was staying in a camper van near the beach. Her belongings were later found on the beach, though there was no sign of her.

Though authorities said there’s no indication that she got in the ocean the night she disappeared, sheriff’s investigators have repeatedly flown drones along the coastline looking for any sign of her.

Staley’s family members in Utah have not heard from her since she went missing, a behavior described as uncharacteristic for her.

“At this time, investigators are not ruling out foul play; however, the case is being treated as a missing person at risk due to the circumstances, Sgt. Zach West told SFGATE, adding that people associated with Staley have cooperated with the investigation so far.

Media - DANIELLE STALEY: Missing from Rio Del Mar State Beach, CA - 6 Nov 2025 - Age 35

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Search ongoing for woman visiting California who was last seen at beach bonfire

Danielle Staley was last seen on Rio Del Mar State Beach the night of Nov. 6.

abcnews.go.com

Search ongoing for woman visiting California who was last seen at beach bonfire​

Authorities said they are searching for an at-risk woman who was last seen at a bonfire on a California beach.

Danielle Staley, 35, of Utah, went missing while visiting the California Central Coast with a friend, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.

She was last seen with a group of people at a bonfire on Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos shortly before midnight on Nov. 6, according to the sheriff's office.

She was reported missing the following day, the sheriff's office said.

Investigators have not ruled out foul play, and Staley is considered at-risk due to the circumstances of her disappearance, according to the sheriff's office.

"Staley's personal belongings were found on the beach, and she has not been in contact with her family -- behavior that is uncharacteristic and has raised additional concern," the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "At this time, investigators are not ruling out foul play; however, the case is being treated as a missing person at risk due to the circumstances."

Staley has been visiting the area with a friend, and they had been staying in a camper van near Rio Del Mar State Beach, according to the sheriff's office.

The friend is cooperating with authorities, the sheriff's office said.

Residents and businesses with surveillance video in the areas of Rio Del Mar Beach, Beach Drive, Treasure Island and Spreckels Drive have been asked to contact the sheriff's office so deputies can review the footage.

"Detectives have been diligently working to track down any information and continue to do so," the sheriff's office said.