The 40-year-old woman had mysterious disappeared while hiking with her dog near the North Fork of the American River
Authorities used rafts and drones in the recovery efforts (Photo: Placer County Sheriff’s Office)
Published January 6, 2026 06:00AM
Eryn VanAcker was hiking with her dog on the Codfish Creek Falls Trail near the North Fork of the American River in northern California when she mysteriously vanished on January 2. Her dog was later found safe near the trail. Then, authorities located her cell phone—still, no sign of VanAcker.
That changed on January 5.
In an email to Outside, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that VanAcker’s body was pulled from the river on Monday, January 5. Dive and technical rescue teams, including those equipped with rafts and drones, assisted in the recovery.
“We are heartbroken to share that the body of a woman who has been missing since Friday, January 2, has been recovered from the North Fork of the American River,” wrote the sheriff’s office on Facebook. “This outcome is not what anyone hoped for. Our deepest condolences are with Eryn’s family, friends, and loved ones.”
Authorities believe she went into the water and was swept upriver from Lake Clementine, about 40 miles east of Sacramento. Her vehicle was found in the area the night of her disappearance, along with a dog bowl. By January 4, rescuers expanded their search and deployed boats onto the river.
“At this time, the sheriff’s office believes there is no evidence indicating anything other than an accidental incident, though all possibilities continue to be evaluated,” authorities said in a statement.
From the San Francisco Bay Area, VanAcker was visiting central California with her long-term boyfriend, authorities said.
This is a developing story.