Missing NorCal Woman's Remains Discovered Near Joshua Tree

JOSHUA TREE, CA — The remains of a 37-year-old mother who went missing near Joshua Tree National Park last summer have been found, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department confirmed Friday.

Partial human skeletal remains found earlier this year in a desert field, about a quarter-mile east of the 5200 block of Danby Road in Wonder Valley near the park, have been confirmed as that of Erika Ashley Lloyd who was reported missing June 17 by her family.

Lloyd was believed to be traveling alone to the remote high desert park, and was last seen three days earlier in the Northern California city of Walnut Creek, where she lived, according to the sheriff's department.

Before the missing person report was filed, Lloyd’s black Honda sedan was found June 16 — abandoned and vandalized — near Highway 62 in the Twentynine Palms area, by the California Highway Patrol.

"Lloyd's vehicle was not associated with the missing person report and was towed for blocking the roadway," the sheriff's department said at the time.

Family and friends of Lloyd launched an extensive effort to find the mother of a young son. Television appearances, massive mailers, and social media outreach continued for months.

There was always a glimmer of hope. Lloyd's car was spotted at Joshua Tree National Park and in Twentynine Palms on June 16, according to family members. "Erika’s car, [a] 2006 black Honda Accord, was last seen driving past Lucky Park at 2:45 p.m. heading north on Utah Trail," a "Bring Erika Home" Facebook page reads.

One family member described Lloyd as "happy, loving and creative." She owned Bloom Salon in Alamo; at the time of her disappearance, the shop was closed due to the pandemic.

Sadly, the search for Lloyd ended around 9:37 a.m. Jan. 31 when her partial remains were found. A forensic odontologist used dental records to confirm her identity, the sheriff's department said Friday.

But the Lloyd case remains a mystery — the cause and manner of death are still undetermined, the sheriff's department said. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact sheriff's Det. Michael Gardea at 909-387-3589.

"Close to eight months have passed since Erika disappeared and we have been blessed by countless efforts of selflessness and compassion on [the] part of the community and our family," Lloyd's brother, Colin shared Thursday on the Bring Erika Home Facebook page. "Right now is the time for grieving and I encourage everyone to pause and reflect on the beautiful soul we’ve lost: our Erika."