Body Of Missing Ventura County Man Found Not Far From Home

Friday January 06, 2023

(Photos courtesy VCSO)

     The Ventura County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the body of 69-year-old Craig William Clark of Casitas Springs was found Tuesday afternoon, January 3rd, not far from where he lived.

     Clark was last seen December 9th exiting a Gold Coast Transit bus near his home in the 9000 block of Ventura Avenue (Highway 33).

     He did not drive and used public transportation.

     His family reported him missing on December 14th and that launched a massive search that involved some 40 people from law enforcement and the public.

     The Ventura County Sheriff's Office put out notices to the media and public seeking information about where he might me.

     They searched on the ground with K-9's and Search and Rescue Teams and volunteers from the public.

     They also searched in the air with helicopters and a drone.

     Then, on Tuesday January 3rd at 1:30 PM, they found a mostly concealed male body among the Ventura River ponds, piles of debris, and thick vegetation.

     Sheriff's investigators say there was no evidence of foul play at the scene and the positioning of the body was consistent with natural river activity.

     Friday, the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that it was Clark.

     A final determination of cause of death is pending.   

     He did have medical conditions that required medication.

     Clark lived alone and when he was reported missing, deputies searched his home to make sure he was not there and did not find anything suspicious.

     He was just gone and they had no idea where he might be.

     The search was not only local but also regional because Clark had at one time lived in Malibu.