Caroline Meister: Missing Northern California hiker found dead at a waterfall base after extensive search

CARMEL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA: A woman who disappeared while hiking in Northern California has been discovered dead after an extensive search at the base of a waterfall.

Caroline Meister, 30, was found lifeless on Friday, March 22, by a search and rescue team, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release. No signs of foul play are suspected, according to the authorities.

Meister was found during a thorough search operation after being reported missing on March 18 when she didn’t return from her hike. 

What did the authorities say?

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said that “search and rescue personnel were performing a high angle search off of the [Tassajara] 'Cut-Off' trail where a waterfall drops off of the trail," when they found her.

"Search and rescue personnel rappelled down the steep drop-off and located Caroline Meister’s body at the base of the waterfall," she added about the 150-foot drop.

Nieto added in a news conference on Friday, March 22, that the death was deemed “accidental” and that Meister's injuries were “consistent with falling down a cliff.”

Clue about Caroline Meister's location

Deputy Carlos Pina also explained that the search and rescue team was able to determine Meister’s probable location after local residents reported that “she had made a comment of the horse pasture trail” prior to heading off on her hike.

The coroner is now set to determine the official cause of death. 

Caroline Meister only carried a day's snack with her 

Meister departed for a hike at around 10 am on March 18 from Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in Carmel Valley.

She had reportedly shared her plans to take a trail that looped back to the Zen Center and hike the “Windcave Trail,” authorities shared on Facebook, adding, “She was only carrying snacks for the day and was not dressed or equipped for an overnight stay.”

Meister worked at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in Ventura Wilderness along the Central Coast of California where she also lived, CBS News reported.

She left for her hike last week wearing teal boots and carrying a blue bag. "She's very familiar with the area, she's also an avid hiker," her father told local news station KSBW prior to her being found last week.

Director of the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center speaks after the tragic incident 

Director of the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Heather Ianrusso told CBS News, "Many of us have lived here for a while, and we're familiar with these trials. She was not out there doing anything risky."

Speaking of Meister, she added, "She's just a lovely human being, and we all — we already miss her deeply. She was an amazingly sweet, bright spirit – very gentle and kind and helpful."