March 4, 2025, 5:18 p.m., story updated with the name of Emil Redzic, the Ukiah man who died in custody on February 26, 2025
Authorities and search-and-rescue teams continued their efforts Monday to locate a missing 72-year-old man in Albion. Daniel Jay Salmond, who is believed to suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, was last seen on Thursday and was reported missing on Saturday, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
Captain Quincy Cromer said approximately four dozen search-and-rescue volunteers spent Monday combing the area around Salmond’s residence on Middle Ridge Road near Hamm’s Lane. Despite their efforts, they found no clues regarding his whereabouts. The sheriff’s office has now requested assistance from the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) to continue the search.
“We are asking anyone in the community who has information to call the sheriff’s office at 707-463-4086 and press option one to be connected with dispatch,” Cromer said. Salmond has grey hair and blue eyes and is most likely wearing a flannel shirt, khaki pants and brown boots.
Cromer also emphasized that there is no waiting period required to report a missing person. “There seems to be a misconception that you have to wait to file a missing person’s report, but that’s not true,” he said. “If someone is not where they’re supposed to be or expected to be, you can report them missing immediately. Time is of the essence, especially with elderly individuals or those suffering from dementia.”
Authorities launched their search Saturday evening after receiving a call from an in-home support services worker who regularly checks on Salmond. The worker had last seen him Thursday morning around 10:30 a.m. but found him missing when they returned Saturday at 10 a.m.
Search-and-rescue teams from Sonoma, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties joined the effort Monday. Cromer said that Salmond does not own a vehicle or a phone, making it likely that he left the area on foot. Neighbors, some of whom have known Salmond for years, confirmed he does not drive and has no known means of transportation.
Investigators are following up on possible sightings of Salmond on Friday and Saturday. The sheriff’s office continues to urge the public to come forward with any relevant information.
Investigation Continues into In-Custody Death
In a separate case, Cromer provided an update on Emil Redzic, a 29-year-old Ukiah man, who died in custody last Wednesday night in Ukiah.
Deputies initially encountered Redzic, who was known to law enforcement, while responding to a 911 hang-up. Redzic, who was on post-release community supervision, turned out to be driving a stolen pickup. After fleeing from authorities, he was later found yelling in Orrs Creek about 50 years west of the North Orchard Street Bridge around 10:15 p.m.
Officers from the Ukiah Police Department and California Highway Patrol attempted to detain the Redzic, but were unable to persuade him to leave the creek. “He was exhibiting symptoms of an altered level of consciousness,” Cromer said. “Officers had to physically assist him out of the creek.”
Once onshore, Redzic became unconscious, and officers removed his handcuffs and began medical aid. Multiple doses of Narcan were administered, and emergency personnel continued life-saving measures before transporting him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:04 p.m.
The exact cause of death is pending toxicology results, which may take six to eight weeks. “The forensic pathologist is waiting for full lab results before making any determination,” Cromer stated.
