A Utah woman found safe after vanishing 2 weeks ago from California beach emerged as the latest update in the case of 35-year-old Danielle Staley, who was located and confirmed unharmed by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office after being reported missing on November 7. She last was seen near Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos, California, where she had been traveling with her boyfriend.
Latest Update
After being reported missing for over two weeks, Danielle Staley reached out to authorities early Sunday and confirmed that she left Santa Cruz County of her own accord and is “safe and uninjured,” according to the Sheriff’s Office. Investigators also confirmed family contact and thanked the community for its assistance. Her personal belongings — including a purse and backpack — had been found near a lifeguard tower at the beach, raising immediate concern.
The disappearance took place after a late-night bonfire near the beach on November 6. Staley and her companion, Alx Nunez, were traveling in a white camper van and stayed the night near the beach. Nunez reported her missing when he awoke the following morning and discovered she was gone.
Although foul play had not been ruled out, the latest statement from the Sheriff’s Office ends the missing-person phase of the case: the Utah woman found safe after vanishing 2 weeks ago from California beach has now been located and is out of immediate danger.
Background of the Disappearance
On the evening of November 6, Danielle Staley attended a bonfire at Rio Del Mar State Beach with a group of individuals. She had traveled from Holladay, Utah, with her longtime companion, Alx Nunez, in a camper van. Nunez did not attend the bonfire and later awoke to find her missing. His van and the campsite near the beach became focal points for the investigation.
Staley’s personal belongings — her phone, purse and backpack — remained on the beach the morning after the bonfire. The Sheriff’s Office described this as “uncharacteristic behaviour” given her history of regular contact with family. Investigators flagged her as “possibly at-risk” and opened local and social-media appeals for surveillance footage from residents and businesses near the beach for the timeframe of November 5-7.
How She Was Located
Early Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office received a call from Staley herself, stating she was “not missing” and had been located safe and well. Investigators confirmed the family had been in contact with her and expressed relief that the matter had reached a positive resolution. The statement added that “additional details are not available at this time.”
Despite the safe outcome, key questions remain: Where precisely she was found, how she moved from the beach area, and what prompted her departure. Investigators continue to treat the matter as open but are no longer actively searching her as a missing person.
At-a-Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Danielle Staley |
| Age | 35 |
| Residence | Holladay, Utah |
| Last seen | Late evening Nov 6 at Bonfire near Rio Del Mar |
| Missing report filed | Nov 7, 2025 |
| Found | Early Sunday contact with authorities |
| Condition | Safe, uninjured |
| Status of investigation | Open — but missing-person phase closed |
Why This Case Drew Attention
The case stood out for several reasons:
- Staley’s personal items were left on the beach where she was last seen.
- She was traveling, unfamiliar with the area, and staying in a mobile camper van.
- The late-night setting with a group of people, and her sudden disappearance without contact, triggered immediate “at-risk” classification by authorities.
All of these elements heighten concern in missing-person situations and make the safe resolution noteworthy.
What Comes Next
While the Utah woman found safe after vanishing 2 weeks ago from California beach marks a successful outcome to the most urgent part of this case, the investigation remains active. Key unanswered questions include why Staley left her camp and belongings behind, how and where she traveled during her absence, and what prompted her departure. Authorities will follow up with Staley and her companion, Alx Nunez, who has cooperated with investigators and submitted to multiple interviews.
For the family and the community, the safe recovery offers closure on the immediate alarm — but it also underscores broader concerns about vulnerable individuals traveling in unfamiliar environments.
If you have any valuable information regarding this case please contact the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office immediately.
We invite you to share your thoughts or any observations in the comments below and stay tuned for further developments.