Woman Who Mysteriously Vanished In Death Valley 9 Months Ago Finally Found

A woman who disappeared without a trace in one of the harshest environments in the United States has been found alive almost nine months after her disappearance. 

Kelsey Pittman, 33, from North Carolina, vanished in late 2024, only for authorities to reveal this week that she has been found safe in Colorado. 

Her survival remains as baffling as it is miraculous, and authorities have stated that no further information about the case will be released.

Her abandoned car set off an extensive search through the desert

Smiling woman wearing black overalls and white shirt, representing woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley.

Image credits: onslowcountync

The saga of Kelsey’s discovery began in February 2025, when her Chevrolet HHR was spotted by a tipster on a remote patch of private land near the boundary of Death Valley National Park. 

The area, nicknamed “The Pads” or “Slab City” and located just off Highway 190, is frequented by campers and desert dwellers. 

Police found no sign of Pittman when they arrived at the location where her vehicle was parked, according to a report from theDaily Mail.

Desolate road stretching through Death Valley desert landscape, with mountains in the background, related to woman vanished case.

Image credits: Freepik/wirestock

Still, the discovery triggered a full-scale missing persons investigation that spanned several months and multiple states.

The search for Kelsey pulled in local authorities, national park rangers, drone teams, cadaver dogs, and volunteer rescue workers. 

Drones scoured the area from the sky while K-9 units combed the rugged terrain below. Despite their efforts, no physical evidence linked to Kelsey’s whereabouts was uncovered.

Woman with a confident expression and curly hair posing outdoors, related to woman mysteriously vanished in Death Valley.

Image credits: Inyo County Sheriff’s Office

Investigators noted that at first, they had to confirm if Kelsey had really been reported as missing, according to theSan Francisco Gate. 

Police ran her license plate multiple times over the course of several weeks while attempting to confirm her status. 

It wasn’t until police contacted her mother that her disappearance was formally registered. At the time, Kelsey had already been missing for months.

She vanished after making contact with police, then reappeared in another state

Woman who mysteriously vanished shown smiling, with North Carolina car plate and missing details from Jacksonville, NC.

Pittman had reportedly spoken with law enforcement in Utah back in November 2024. This was her last known sighting before she seemingly vanished into thin air. 

Authorities would later confirm she had been known to visit the Las Vegas area, which only deepened the mystery surrounding her disappearance. 

Her family grew increasingly worried as months passed with no updates, and her mother even traveled across the country to aid in the early stages of the search.

White Chevrolet panel van parked on a driveway, possibly used in the search for woman who vanished in Death Valley.

Image credits: KBB

Citing information from Kelsey’s mother, officials from the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office stated earlier this month that she may be using the aliases “Infinity Jane” and “Jane Jones.”

At the time, authorities noted that they were following up on multiple leads to find Kelsey, though she was still proving elusive.

Then, in a recent update, the Sheriff’s Office issued a brief press release announcing that Kelsey had been found, and she is alive.

Smiling woman with a "Mama" tattoo on her arm, linked to woman mysteriously vanished in Death Valley found.

Image credits: Inyo County Sheriff’s Office

“Inyo County Sheriff’s Office officials report that they are relieved to announce that Kelsey Pittman has been located alive in the state of Colorado.

“Pittman, a North Carolina resident, was reported missing by her family after losing contact in November 2024,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote in its press release.

They declined to provide any additional context on how Kelsey was found, saying only that no further information would be shared.

Official notice from Inyo County Sheriff's Office about woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley being found alive in Colorado.

Image credits: Inyo County Sheriff’s Office

“Out of respect for her privacy and that of her family, no further details will be released,” the press release read.

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office also thanked everyone who contributed to Kelsey’s search. 

“We thank our ICSO investigative team, along with the many law enforcement partners, search and rescue volunteers, and community members who assisted in this case and helped share information,” the Sheriff’s Office noted.

Smiling woman with sunglasses and a headscarf, showing an intricate infinity tattoo on her chest at a sunny beach.

Image credits: Inyo County Sheriff’s Office

Netizens expressed frustration at Kelsey, with some stating that she wasted valuable time and resources of the people who actively searched for her.

“She should be charged for the entire missing persons investigation. And have to pay all the money back,” one commenter wrote.

“She should be required to repay every public service resource that wasted time looking for her,” another stated.

Smiling woman with sunglasses showing a colorful tattoo on her arm, related to woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley.

Image credits: Inyo County Sheriff’s Office

“This is extremely selfish when people do this. At least call the police and let them know you are alive and well so they don’t waste time and money looking for YOU!!” another wrote.

Netizens shared various theories and reactions about Kelsey’s disappearance

Screenshot of a comment stating she was never missing, related to the woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley.

Text post by AuthorThiefVessel saying All those resources for someone who doesn’t want to be found, referencing woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley.

Text excerpt from Othersideofthepond discussing a woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley with details withheld by authorities.

Comment box with text about a woman’s family and mysterious disappearance related to woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley.

Comment about suspicious vanishing of woman in Death Valley, questioning motives and urging notifying authorities.

Comment text displayed on a plain white background mentioning money and resources in response to a disappearance case.

Comment from Mary Stanford expressing doubt about a woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley being there the entire time.

Comment text stating a belief about a woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley 9 months ago.

Comment by Twist Tree about reporting a woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley to the police promptly.

Volunteer Search and Rescue team discusses challenges in harsh Death Valley terrain while searching for a missing woman

Text excerpt discussing living in the desert or car and advising family notification to prevent wasted law enforcement resources.

Woman standing alone in desert landscape, symbolizing a woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley.

Volunteer Search and Rescue team discusses the extreme conditions in Death Valley while looking for a woman who vanished months ago

Text post by lauranell discussing the frustration of wasting public resources and causing anxiety to family members.

Comment expressing frustration over costs of search efforts for woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley.

Comment from a user discussing the investigation into a woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley nine months ago.

Comment mentioning repayment for public resources spent searching for woman who mysteriously vanished in Death Valley.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!