Missing Georgia Camper Rescued Alive After Weeks Lost in California Wilderness

A Georgia woman missing for several weeks has been discovered "miraculously alive" in California's rugged Sierra Nevada mountains, authorities announced Wednesday. Tiffany Slaton, 27, from Jefferson, Georgia, was found occupying a cabin at the Vermilion Valley Resort near Lake Edison in Fresno County.

The resort owner, Christopher Gutierrez, made the discovery while conducting a property check as preparations began to open for the summer season. Gutierrez recounted the emotional moment: “She pops out, didn’t say a word, just ran up and all she wanted was a hug. It was a pretty surreal moment and that’s when I realized who this was.” Slaton had been reported missing by her family on April 29 after nine days without contact.

Upon her rescue, she was described as dehydrated but otherwise in good condition.

Key details of the rescue include:

• The road leading to Lake Edison from Kaiser Pass was impassable due to lingering snowpack, complicating search and rescue efforts.
• The cabin where Slaton was found had been intentionally left unlocked by the owner, specifically as a precaution for lost or stranded hikers.
• Snowplows cleared the access route only on Wednesday, the day she was found.

Deputies met with Gutierrez and Slaton at a staging point after he drove her down from the resort. Medics soon arrived and provided medical evaluation before Slaton was reunited with her family. Slaton’s parents expressed deep relief and gratitude upon hearing the news of her survival.

Her father, Bobby, said, “This has to be the third or fourth best day of our lives after our children’s births so we are extremely excited and happy to hear the news that my daughter is now safe.” He also thanked the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the search and rescue teams, and the wider community for their efforts.

Her mother, Fredrina, recalled the moment they learned Tiffany was safe: “I just grabbed somebody and said, ‘Can I hug you?’ And I did, I was crying and hugging.” As for Tiffany’s first direct message to her family, Bobby recounted through tears: “She said ‘Dad, I’m alive, and I’m sorry, but I’m alive, and I wanted to call you and let you know that I’m alive.’ … I just thank God for that moment because prayers were answered.”

A previous search for Slaton conducted between May 6 and May 10 covered close to 600 square miles but failed to find any trace of her or her belongings. Detectives are now working to meet with Slaton to better understand her experience during the weeks she was missing, hoping to learn more about how she managed to survive in the harsh conditions.

The case underscores the dangers of solo hiking and the importance of preparedness and communication in wilderness areas. The actions of the resort owner and the coordinated response from local authorities are being credited with helping to bring Tiffany Slaton safely home.