Full Notification

2nd UPDATE

Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team Locates a Male Decedent on Hot Springs Trail

On August 17, 2018, around 2:00 p.m., Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Hot Springs Trailhead on a report of a suspicious vehicle that was parked near the trailhead since Monday, August 13, 2018. The solo male occupant was last seen walking up the trailhead. The vehicle is registered to Wayne Habell, of Newhall, who was listed as an at-risk missing person out of Los Angeles County. (For further information regarding the circumstances of the missing person report, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department).

Sheriff’s deputies, the Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit and Santa Barbara Search and Rescue team members responded and began an extensive search of the area. The search teams were unable to locate Mr. Habell. Due to darkness, the search was called off until the early morning hours on August 18, 2018, when Search and Rescue and the Air Support Unit resumed their search for Mr. Habell.

On August 18, 2018 around 6:00 p.m., a male decedent was located in the canyon. The body was taken to the Santa Barbara County Coroner’s Office for further investigation. At this time, the Coroner’s Office is unable to confirm the identity of the decedent. The cause and manner of death are still under investigation. No further details will be released at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Missing Persons Unit, Sergeant Nava or Detective Abraham at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.or

Deputy Joana Warren

Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 

Hall of Justice - First floor  

211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-229-1700

Detectives are advising Missing Person Wayne Stuart Habell's vehicle was located in Santa Barbara County this afternoon. Authorities from Santa Barbara County Sheriff's contacted our Missing Person's Unit at approximately 4:00 p.m., stating the vehicle was located in a rural area in the City of Monecito by a passerby at around 2:00 p.m. 

Mr. Habell was not located in or near the vehicle. A search of the area was conducted, however, he was not found. Authorities will continue to investigate and use all resources necessary to try and locate him. 

Family, friends, and detectives are asking for anyone with information regarding Wayne Stuart Habell's disappearance to please contact us at 323-890-5500 or anonynously at 800-222-8477. 

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Missing Persons Unit, Sergeant Nava or Detective Abraham at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org 

Forwarded by: 

Deputy Trina Schrader 

Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department  

Hall of Justice - First floor                   

211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 

213-229-1700 
____________________________________________
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE IS AS FOLLOWS:

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Missing Persons Unit detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Wayne Stuart Habell. He is a 43 year-old male White who was last seen leaving his home in Newhall, on Monday, August 13, 2018 at 7:30 a.m.    

Mr. Habell is described as 6’00” tall, 225 lbs., short brown/blonde hair, green eyes. He was wearing a blue shirt and plaid shorts. 

His vehicle is a 2008 Black Chrysler Aspen CA license plate 6KMB757. 

His family and friends are very concerned and asking for the public’s help in located him.  

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Missing Persons Unit, Sergeant Nava or Detective Abraham at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org 

Forwarded by: 

Deputy Trina Schrader 

Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department  

Hall of Justice - First floor                   

211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 

213-229-1700 
  

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Jim McDonnell, Sheriff 
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department