Family Continues To Search For Woman Who Went Missing In Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The family of a 35-year-old woman who has been missing for weeks has started a fundraising campaign to help support her sister and stepdad as they stay in Santa Cruz, continuing the search.

Danielle Staley, 35, who is from Salt Lake City and had traveled to California recently, was last seen at approximately 11:23 p.m. on Nov. 6 at a beach party near Rio Del Mar State Beach.

Police said on Nov. 9 that they learned new information that indicates she may be at risk and foul play may be involved.

Staley is described as 5 feet 6 inches, 120 pounds with blonde hair, blue eyes and was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and leopard-print leggings.

Her family said Staley has very fine eyebrow hair and several distinctive tattoos: a leopard print star on the back of her neck, and at least three stars on her left hip/torso area.

Staley's family in Utah reported that they have not heard from her since her personal belongings were found on the beach, which the sheriff's office considered uncharacteristic.

Since Nov. 12, Staley's sister Gabrielle and stepdad Slade have been tirelessly searching for Danielle in the Santa Cruz/Aptos area, coordinating with law enforcement. Their extended stay involves mounting expenses for gas, food, lodging, and flyers, compounded by lost wages. They are also distributing flyers and sandwiches on the streets, hoping to find someone who saw Staley.

Investigators have found no evidence that Staley entered the ocean on Thursday night, despite the sheriff's office flying drones along the coastline.

Authorities are requesting public assistance, asking anyone with surveillance footage from the Beach Drive, Rio Del Mar Boulevard, the Esplanade, or nearby streets and pathways between Nov. 5 and 7 to share it with the sheriff’s office.

Anyone with information can contact 831-471-1121.

Her family is sharing updates on Facebook.