Location: Ruby Creek

Incident Date: 9/26/23

Incident Time: 0700

City: California Hot Springs

Posted by: Media Relations

Missing Hunter 

UPDATE:

Sheriff Boudreaux is happy to announce the hunter who went missing near California Hot Springs on Sunday has been found safe. 75-year-old Juan Duron Velasquez was found around 7 a.m. on 9/26/23, by Search and Rescue Team members and surrounding agencies about 1,500 feet above Ruby Creek. A CHP helicopter was called to lift him out of the area and to safety. 

UPDATE:

A 75-year-old hunter who went missing on the morning of 9/22/23, near California Hot Springs is now being considered a missing person. Juan Duron Velasquez was last seen around 7 a.m. on 9/17/23 hunting in the Parker Meadow area north/east of California Hot Springs. Velasquez was last seen wearing an orange knit cap, a camouflage jacket and camouflage pants. He is described as 5’10” and weighs about 200 lbs. Velasquez does not have any known major medical conditions or mental health issues.

Anyone with information on Velasquez’ whereabouts is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218

ORIGINAL POST: 

TCSO Deputies are near Parker Meadow in the Johnsondale area searching for a lost hunter. Around 6:30 a.m. on 9/22/23, 75-year-old Juan Velasquez became separated from his hunting group. He was wearing camouflaged clothing and an orange beanie. TCSO personnel are on scene and actively searching for Velasquez on the ground and the Sheriff’s Aviation Support Unit airplane is flying the area, as well as the Fresno-based California Highway Patrol helicopter.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact TCSO Deputy Cliff Bush or Sergeant Brad McLean by calling 559-733-6218. Anonymous tips may be sent to 559-725-4194 or tcso@tipnow.com.