Dortha Diane Evans Obituary and Cause of Death: Mount Shasta Search Ends After Body Found Near Shastice Park
The search for Dortha Diane Evans, a Mount Shasta woman who had been missing since September 25, has taken a tragic turn following reports that a body was discovered near Shastice Park.
Evans, 79, had been the subject of a missing-person investigation led by the Mount Shasta Police Department. According to the California Department of Justice, Evans was last seen on September 25, 2026, and her case was entered into the state’s missing-person system. She was described as a white woman with brown hair and green eyes, standing approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds.
Authorities later intensified efforts to locate Evans, with the California Highway Patrol activating a Silver Alert on October 4 on behalf of the Mount Shasta Police Department. The alert stated that Evans had last been seen around 7:45 a.m. on September 25 near Kingston Road and Lassen Lane in Mount Shasta and was believed to have been traveling on foot.
The disappearance prompted concern throughout the Mount Shasta community as authorities worked to establish Evans’ whereabouts and determine what had happened to her.
Reports that a body was subsequently found near Shastice Park have brought the search to a devastating point. Shastice Park is a major 38-acre recreation area in Mount Shasta, located off Rockfellow Drive near the Mount Shasta High School campus. The park includes sports fields, picnic areas, a playground, a skatepark and other recreational facilities.
The discovery has naturally raised questions about whether the remains are those of Evans and what circumstances may have led to her death. Those questions will depend on formal identification and the findings of investigators.
At present, a confirmed cause and manner of death have not been publicly established in the sources reviewed. The Shasta County Coroner’s Office is responsible for investigating unexpected, violent, unattended or suspicious deaths and determining the cause and circumstances surrounding them.
For Evans’ family and those who knew her, the end of a prolonged search is likely to bring profound grief, even as authorities work to establish the facts surrounding the discovery.
The case has also highlighted the importance of rapid community response when an older adult goes missing. Evans’ disappearance led to a statewide alert and efforts involving law enforcement agencies as authorities attempted to locate her safely.
As investigators continue their work, additional information may clarify the identity of the person found near Shastice Park, the circumstances surrounding the discovery and, if the remains are confirmed to be Evans, the official cause of death.
Until authorities make that identification public, details concerning Evans’ death should be treated with care. Her missing-person case remains a deeply concerning episode for the Mount Shasta community, and her family and friends now await definitive answers.
Further announcements from the Mount Shasta Police Department, the coroner or Evans’ family are expected to provide additional information as the investigation progresses.
