Urgent search launched for missing Sacramento woman last seen at 'very remote' Nevada mining camp

Authorities are searching for a missing Sacramento woman who was last seen at a Nevada mining camp.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Esmeralda Marie Pineda was last seen on the morning of Monday, Aug. 26 at a mining claim camp in the vicinity of the middle fork of the Yuba River and Sweetland Creek in Nevada City.

Pineda, who is from Sacramento, may be trying to return to the region. She is considered at-risk and is described as a Hispanic adult female, 5’ 8”, 169 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes, authorities said.

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She was reportedly wearing a black sweatshirt, leggings with a floral design, tennis shoes, and in possession of a black Swiss backpack. The Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue team is aiding in the search for Pineda.

Nevada County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Ashley Quadros says no crime is suspected in Pineda's disappearance. Quadros says that all authorities know is that Pineda went out into a remote area that is proving challenging for rescue teams to search.

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"Not positive what kind of activity she was involved in, other than I know its been reported she went out with three other individuals to a very remote, hard to access camp, which is proving challenging even for search and rescue and our team to conduct this search which is requiring specialized rope teams that are repelling into areas of the canyons to look for her," Quadros said.

"In her case, based on some personal history we've been made aware of, as well as the circumstances of which this area is located, which is quite treacherous, those have made her an 'at risk' person," she added.

For possible sightings or for information regarding Pineda's whereabouts, please call the Sheriff’s Regional Dispatch Center at (530) 265-7880.