Search underway for SLO County man reported missing near Pirate’s Cove beach
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating an Arroyo Grande man who went missing near Pirate’s Cove beach.
On Tuesday, Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a missing person at Pirate’s Cove, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.
The individual, 72-year-old Arroyo Grande resident Gary Kiehl, was reported missing when friends became worried after Kiehl did not show up to pick a friend up from the Grover Beach train station, according to the release.
The last known contact with Kiehl was on Monday at around 2 p.m., and Kiehl’s vehicle was discovered unoccupied the following day at the Cave Landing parking lot in Avila Beach, according to the release.
The Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team was deployed to the Pirate’s Cove area to search for Kiehl, ending their search during the overnight hours early Wednesday morning, according to the release.
The search resumed Wednesday morning with a joint operation between the cellular forensic team FALCON from the County Office of Emergency services, Coast Guard helicopter and cutter, Harbor Patrol and Cal Fire’s water rescue craft, according to the release.
Kiehl, described as a 5’10”, 180-pound white male with brown hair and hazel eyes, has no history of prior missing person reports, and was said to enjoy walking the cliffs along the Pirate’s Cove area, according to the release.
At this time, the incident is not considered suspicious, according to the release.
Anyone with information on Kiehl’s whereabouts can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 805-781-4550.
