UPDATE: Search and rescue teams looking for missing Watsonville farmer
UPDATE 4/8/2015: The search continues for a missing, at-risk Watsonville man. Ivan Goich, 66, disappeared nine days ago. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office deployed their specialized search and rescue teams for the first time.
Deputies said Goich may have had some emotional issues before he disappeared. Search and rescue are now ramping up their efforts. The vast farmland of Watsonville is a tough place to search. But volunteers aren’t giving up hope.
Goich disappeared on March 30. The Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office has been looking for him ever since. Nine days later and with very few clues, the search and rescue teams were called in.
“We all met in the morning, and then they send us on our assignments. Ours was to cover some areas where the roads washed out, so you couldn’t get their by vehicle,” volunteer search team member Brad Williamson.
Williamson is part of the search and rescue bike team. Deputies said they’re utilizing all of the tools they have. The search and rescue team is using this incident command trailer. It can travel to remote places… and they can still access the internet, printer, or any other tools they need.”
“No new clues, no new sightings, so we’re just looking in the areas that friends and family say he might be,” Sgt. Joe Clarke said.
Clarke said the area they’re searching is large. Goich has spent most of his life here and recently asked for help.
“He stated to some family members that he was distraught and having some emotional problems,” Clarke said.
After he was discharged from a hospital in Fremont on March 30. Deputies said Goich was given a bus pass home to Watsonville. But he never came home. Anyone with information on Goich’s whereabouts, is urged to call the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
This is their fourth missing persons case of the year.
UPDATE 4/7/2015: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said about 25 volunteers are helping with the search for a missing at-risk Watsonville farmer.
Ivan Goich, 66, was reported missing March 30.
NewsChannel 5 will have updates on this story as they become available.
PREVIOUS STORY: An at-risk Watsonville farmer is missing. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said Ivan Goich,66, was discharged from Fremont Hospital on March 30 and was taken back to his house in the 100 block of Munks Court in Watsonville.
He’s a self employed farmer and has not been seen by his family since he was taken back to his house. Goich has medical issues that place him at risk if he’s not found soon. He’s described as a white man, 5’09”, 160 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking everyone to be on the lookout for Goich and to call them if you see him or have any information regarding his whereabouts at (831) 471-1121.
