Eric Campbell, a 47-year-old man from Crescent City, California, has been missing since September 17th. His mysterious disappearance has left family members, friends, and local authorities in Del Norte County desperate for answers. Eric was last seen camping at Patrick’s Creek, a popular yet remote spot off Highway 199, deep in the heart of the Del Norte wilderness. As days turn into weeks without a trace of him, the sense of urgency grows.
Eric, an experienced outdoorsman, was well-acquainted with the rugged terrain. His sister, Brandy Smith, recalls fond memories of their childhood spent in these very woods. “Eric grew up in this area. He knows it like the back of his hand. We’ve been camping up here since we were tiny,” she told Redwood News. She described how he would often hunt and fish with their father and uncles in the area, developing a strong connection to the wilderness.
In fact, just weeks prior to his disappearance, Eric had camped in the same spot with a friend. This time, however, he had ventured out alone. According to Brandy, Eric had planned the solo camping trip before starting a new job in Crescent City, helping to repair a house in the area. “He camped by himself that week, right before starting the job,” Brandy explained. Eric brought along his two dogs, loyal companions who were always by his side.
The first alarm was raised when Eric’s family realized they hadn’t heard from him in days. It was unusual for him to go off the grid without staying in touch, especially given his close relationship with his parents. “He communicates with my mother and father on a daily basis,” Brandy said, her voice full of concern. “So when we hadn’t heard from him, we knew something was wrong.” The family decided to head to Patrick’s Creek, where they found a scene that left them both bewildered and alarmed.
Eric’s campsite was abandoned, though it looked as if he had only stepped away for a brief moment. His truck was parked nearby, and inside, the family found his two dogs unharmed. His phone, tablet, keys, and even his bank cards were all still in the vehicle. “It was abandoned, but everything was left as if he were going to return right away,” Brandy recalled. “The only thing missing was a pair of shoes. We think he left with just what he was wearing.”
This discovery immediately raised suspicions for the family. Eric, who had a seizure disorder, was unlikely to wander off without his dogs or his essential tools, which were still in the truck. These tools were necessary for the remodeling job he was supposed to start, making it even more unlikely that he left them behind willingly.
As the hours turned into days, the family’s concern deepened. The terrain around Patrick’s Creek is dense, mountainous, and difficult to navigate. Yet Eric’s familiarity with the area, combined with the lack of any sign of struggle or injury, made it hard to believe that he had simply gotten lost. Moreover, Brandy’s instincts told her that something more sinister might have occurred.
“At first, we thought maybe he had a seizure and got disoriented,” she said. Eric’s seizure disorder had been a cause for concern in the past, but it had never resulted in something like this. “Perhaps he went out onto Highway 199 and was picked up by someone,” Brandy speculated, her voice tinged with anxiety. The remote nature of the area, coupled with the absence of any security cameras along the highway, made it difficult to confirm or rule out this theory. “We don’t get the impression that he’s in the mountains right now. We believe he departed the area, as if someone had taken him.”
The family has since pleaded with the public to come forward with any information. “If anyone saw anything or knows anything, please come forward,” Brandy urged. With no CCTV footage to rely on, the family’s hope now rests on someone having seen Eric around the time of his disappearance. Brandy also noted that it was out of character for Eric to go anywhere without his dogs. “He would never have left them behind,” she insisted, a fact that only deepens the mystery surrounding his vanishing.
Local authorities, led by the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office, have conducted extensive searches of the area surrounding Patrick’s Creek. Search-and-rescue teams, along with volunteers, have combed through the dense forest and rugged hills, using all-terrain vehicles, dogs, and helicopters to scour the landscape for any clues. Yet despite their efforts, no trace of Eric has been found. The search teams have focused on the possibility that Eric may have wandered off and suffered an injury or medical emergency, but the lack of any evidence supporting this theory has left them at a standstill.
Meanwhile, Brandy and the rest of Eric’s family continue to grapple with the emotional toll of his disappearance. The uncertainty, combined with the fear that something terrible has happened, has left them in a state of constant worry. “It’s dreadful. We just want to know what happened,” Brandy said, her voice breaking. The waiting and not knowing have been unbearable for the family, who are desperate for any information that might lead them to Eric.
Adding to their frustration is the fact that Eric’s disappearance has not garnered widespread attention outside of the local area. While the family has reached out to news outlets and social media platforms, they feel that more needs to be done to bring national attention to his case. Brandy has expressed concern that the lack of media coverage could hinder efforts to find Eric, particularly if he was indeed picked up by someone and taken out of the area.
As the investigation continues, several theories have emerged, but none have provided concrete answers. One possibility is that Eric, disoriented by a seizure, wandered onto Highway 199 and was either picked up by a passing motorist or met with foul play. Another theory is that he may have become lost in the woods, though his familiarity with the area makes this seem unlikely. There is also the chance that Eric left the campsite voluntarily, but again, the absence of his dogs and essential belongings makes this scenario hard to believe.
Despite these unanswered questions, the family refuses to give up hope. They have organized search parties, distributed flyers, and contacted local businesses in an effort to spread the word about Eric’s disappearance. “We just want people to keep their eyes open,” Brandy said. “If you saw Eric on or around September 17th, please notify the Del Norte County Sheriff. Eric stands 5’6 and has blue eyes.”
The community of Crescent City has rallied around the family, offering support and assistance in any way they can. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers have volunteered their time to join the search efforts, bringing food, water, and supplies to the search teams. Many have also taken to social media, sharing posts about Eric’s disappearance and urging others to stay vigilant.
For now, the search for Eric Campbell continues, but with each passing day, the family’s anxiety grows. The lack of any significant leads has made the investigation challenging, but the family remains determined to find answers. “We won’t stop until we find him,” Brandy said firmly. The family’s love for Eric, combined with their unwavering hope, drives them forward, even in the face of uncertainty.
As the days go on, the mystery surrounding Eric’s disappearance only deepens. The quiet serenity of Patrick’s Creek, once a place of peace and reflection for Eric and his family, now holds the weight of a terrifying unknown. The community watches, waits, and hopes for the day when the answers will finally come, and Eric Campbell will return home safely. Until then, the search continues, with a growing sense of urgency and an unwavering belief that someone, somewhere, knows what happened.
If you have any information regarding Eric Campbell’s whereabouts or if you saw him around the time of his disappearance, please contact the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office.
