A California woman who did not return home as scheduled from a camping trip in Southern California has been rescued.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Holly Jochum, also known as Holly Casner, had traveled in an RV to Big Bear National Park from her home in Orange County. She reportedly contacted her family on Sunday, December 27, to say that the campground at Big Bear was closed, and that she was headed instead to Joshua Tree National Park, about an hour and 15-minute drive from where she placed the call.
Jochum’s family reported her missing on December 30, when she did not return home as scheduled, and when they had been unable to reach her by phone since Sunday. Social media posts indicate that friends and/or family hired a private investigator to help find Jochum, but it is not clear what role that played in locating her.
According to a report in KESQ, Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station confirmed that Riverside Sheriff Department’s air rescue team located and retrieved Jochum from where she had been hiking in Idyllwyld, near Palm Springs and to the east of Joshua Tree National Park. A social media message published Friday stated that Jochum, an equestrian photographer, made contact by phone on Friday. It remains unclear who she contacted, but the post indicates that she relayed her location, and the information was given to San Jacinto Search and Rescue. It appears that multiple agencies were involved in the rescue.
Jochum was traveling with her two dogs, who are reportedly also in good health. There is no indication at this time that Jochum or the animals were separated from the RV, though the conditions of her rescue are not known. A story posted to her personal and professional Instagram accounts on Friday includes a photo of what appears to be a snowy, hilly forest with the message: “It’s gonna take me a few days to process all of this & respond to all your loving messages. Just wanted everyone to know that I’m home safe and I’ll be recounting [the] whole story in the next few days.”
CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.
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