MEDIA ADVISORY/NEWS RELEASE

On 07-08-2024 at 2:17 PM, Mendocino County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to assist CalFire with a wildland fire in the 94500 block of Mina Road, north of Covelo, CA. The fire was reported to be a rapidly-moving wildfire with one structure possibly fully involved and one person potentially missing. Upon arrival in the area, deputies contacted an adult male at the property who stated a burn pile had escaped and started the wildfire. The adult male reported that a family member, 66-year-old Dagmar Stankova, was missing and had last been seen in and around the residence attempting to extinguish flames. Due to the intensity of the fire, deputies were not able to access the area of the residence so they proceeded to work on evacuating people in the surrounding neighborhood. A missing person report was ultimately taken for Stankova as she was not able to be located. 

On 07-09-2024 at approximately 2:00 A.M., the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office was notified by fire personnel that suspected burned human remains had been located in a structure that had burned during this fire. Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Detectives, along with CalFire Prevention Officers, responded to the scene which still had active fire burning. Investigators located the human remains and due to the burned condition of the body, investigators were not able to make a positive identification of the decedent. During the investigation, it was determined that Stankova had last been seen adjacent to the residence attempting to protect her home from the fire with a garden hose. The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Coroner's Division is actively working to identify the human remains that were located; however the remains are believed to be Stankova based on the investigation and circumstances of the fire. Stankova's next of kin is aware of this case and is assisting with this investigation. 

An autopsy for the decedent located during this investigation is being scheduled and the final cause and manner of death will not be released until the autopsy and toxicology reports are available. The coroner's case for the unidentified decedent is being investigated under Mendocino County Sheriff's Office case #2024-13948. CalFire Prevention Officers are conducting the investigation regarding the cause of the fire related to this incident. 

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086. Information can also be provided anonymously through the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100.