Missing 78-year-old mushroom hunter found dead in creek, California cops say

A 78-year-old man who went missing while hunting mushrooms in a Northern California forest has been found dead, sheriff’s officials reported.

Duane Sidebottom, who was wearing waders, was last seen crossing Kidder Creek in Scott Valley on Wednesday, April 30, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said in a Monday, May 5, news release.

Sidebottom, who was hunting mushrooms along the creek, failed to show up at a designated pickup point several hours later, sheriff’s officials said.

Searchers found his body in the creek about a mile downstream of his last sighting at 11:20 a.m. Thursday, May 1, sheriff’s officials said.

A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection swift water rescue team had to be called in to safely recover his body, deputies said.

The sheriff’s office notified his family of his death. Investigators ask anyone with information to call 530-841-2900.

Siskiyou County is about a 265-mile drive north from Sacramento.

This story was originally published May 5, 2025 at 4:56 PM with the headline "Missing 78-year-old mushroom hunter found dead in creek, California cops say."