Yurok, Hoopa Valley and Karuk Tribes, HCSO Continue Search for Missing Community Member
Intertribal, Interagency Team Expands Effort to Find Emmilee Risling
Yesterday, the Yurok Tribal leadership mobilized additional staff and resources to bolster the ongoing search for local mother, Emmilee Risling.
“We are doing everything we can to bring Emmilee home as soon as possible,” said Joseph L. James, the Chairman of the Yurok Tribe. “The Yurok, Hoopa Valley and Karuk Tribes, in conjunction with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, are collaborating on the search for Emmilee.”
Emmilee, 32, is 5’2 and weighs 140 pounds. She has short brown hair and eyes of the same color. If you have information regarding Emmilee’s current location, please call the Hoopa Tribal Police dispatch number, which is (530) 625-4202.
Yurok Chairman Joseph L. James, Vice Chairman Frankie Myers and representatives from the Yurok Tribal Police Department have met with members of the Hoopa Tribal Council, Hoopa Tribal Police and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office to coordinate the search for Emmilee, a Hupa citizen and resident of Hoopa. The Yurok Tribal leadership has formed a Yurok Search and Rescue Team to strategically look for the beloved community member. In collaboration with the partnering organizations, the Yurok Tribal Police and the Yurok Tribal Court’s MMIWG2 project team as well as staff from the Yurok Office of Emergency Services and Information Services Departments are participating in the effort to find Emmilee. The Yurok Police Department as well as members of the Tribe’s Forestry and Roads Departments have already spent multiple days actively searching for the missing mother. With the aim of returning Emilee to her loved ones, the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department and the Hoopa Office of Emergency Services have also implemented a series of actions, such as conducting searches and performing numerous extra patrols, while following up leads submitted by residents. Local community members have organized significant search parties too.
In addition to strategically looking for Emmilee, the Yurok Tribe is also reaching out to local, state and federal officials to request additional resources to aid in the search. Since Emilee was reported missing on October 14, 2021, many residents have provided tips to the Tribal Police Departments and HCSO, which have followed up on each report. The law enforcement organizations thank the community for their support and continued involvement.
“As a parent, my heart goes out the Risling family. Emmilee is a cherished member of our community and we will leave no stone unturned until she is found. I would like to commend everyone who has searched for Emmilee and helped get the word out about her disappearance. Please do not stop looking for her. If you have information regarding Emmilee’s current location, please call the Hoopa Tribal Police dispatch number,” concluded Chairman James.
The Hoopa Valley Tribal Police dispatch number is (530) 625-4202.