Nevada City, CA – Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) and Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team (NCSSAR), along with allied agencies, are continuing to search the area of the South Yuba River near Hwy 49 and downstream to Bridgeport, after a woman was reported to be last seen struggling while swimming in the raging waters of the Yuba River just upstream from the S. Yuba Bridge on May 24, 2025.
Emergency crews from Nevada County Consolidated Fire District first responded to the call at approximately 8:30 p.m. Saturday night, but despite extensive search efforts the woman was not located. NCSO and NCSSAR took over the search later that night, and the efforts to locate her remain active and ongoing, including by drone and CHP air operations. The river conditions are currently extremely dangerous with high, cold, and very fast-moving water, making the search especially challenging for rescuers.
The missing woman has been identified as 50-year-old Rebecca Heinowitz, of Barrytown, New York. She is described as a white female, approximately five feet and three inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes, weighing approximately 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black two-piece swimsuit.
Local state parks, river safety, and first responder officials have advised the public of the dangers of entering the Yuba River during water conditions such as those that we are experiencing now. As the weather heats up and snowmelt makes its way down the mountains, the water will continue to be fast, cold, and dangerous. Please enjoy the river’s beauty from afar and stay out of the powerful and unforgiving current.
Editor’s note: Initial news release from NCCFD.