NEED TO KNOW
- The body of a 29-year-old man was discovered inside a submerged Telse near Schoolhouse Beach in Bodega Bay, California, on Tuesday, Jan 20
- Authorities identified the body as Kale Gonick-Hallows, who had been missing from Rohnert Park, CA, since Jan. 5
- Police said at the time of his disappearance that he was likely having a mental health crisis
A 29-year-old man, who had been missing for two weeks, has been found dead in a submerged Tesla near Schoolhouse Beach in Bodega Bay, California.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety (RPDPS) confirmed in a press release that the body found in the driver’s seat of the vehicle was identified as Kale Gonick-Hallows.
RPDPS detectives received an alert from CAL FIRE LNU on Friday about a Tesla being found near Schoolhouse Beach in Bodega Bay.
“RPDPS detectives requested Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter H-1 to search the surrounding area,” the release said. “During the aerial search, a blue Tesla vehicle matching the description of Kale Gonick-Hallows’ Tesla was located submerged in the water.”
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Officials added, “RPDPS, in coordination with CAL FIRE, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter (H-1), and California State Parks Lifeguards, responded to the scene. A deceased individual was located in the driver’s seat of the submerged vehicle.”
PEOPLE has contacted the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety for further comment, but didn’t immediately receive a response.
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Authorities went on to say that there was no indication of foul play.
Gonick-Hallows from Rohnert Park, CA, was reported missing on Jan. 5, according to a previous release by the RPDPS.
Officials said at the time that he was believed to be having a mental health crisis and was likely “driving his bright blue 2023 Model Y Tesla (California License Plate 9HOS517).”
Rohnert Park DPS/Instagram
“Kale’s vehicle was last seen near Bodega Bay on Monday evening, January 5th, 2026,” the statement read. “Kale is believed to be on the Sonoma Coastline or in any wooded areas within Sonoma County; Armstrong Redwoods, Sonoma Coast Redwoods, Russian River, The Grove of Old Trees or Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve.”
In their recent release, RPDPS encouraged anyone to seek support if they were suffering from mental health struggles.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of Kale Gonick-Hallows during this difficult time,” they wrote.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
