Kelsey Pittman, a woman from North Carolina, has been located alive nine months after she vanished, following the discovery of an abandoned car in Slab City, California.
Pittman, 33, was found in Colorado, as reported by the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office this week. The department had been searching for her for several months but did not disclose how she disappeared or what she had been doing during that time.
“Out of respect for her privacy and her family, no further details will be released,” the statement indicated.
The search for Pittman began after her mother reported her missing in November 2024, saying her daughter had contacted law enforcement in Utah. According to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office:
On February 9, 2025, they received a report about a suspicious vehicle near Slab City. When officers arrived, they verified that the vehicle, a 2009 Chevrolet HHR, belonged to Kelsey Pittman. Despite a thorough search of the vehicle and nearby areas, there were no signs of her, leading to an extensive investigation.
Efforts to locate her included drone teams, search dogs, and volunteer rescue teams, as noted by reports.
Slab City, often referred to as “The Slabs,” is known for its unconventional lifestyle, home to artists, musicians, and those looking to escape mainstream society.
Located about 170 miles southeast of Los Angeles, it earned its name from concrete slabs left behind after a WWII marine training facility was dismantled. It attracts filmmakers on platforms like YouTube.
During winter, its population can swell to nearly 4,000, mostly consisting of RVS. In contrast, it drops to under 200 in the summer months.
The area has also been linked to illegal activities, particularly concerning crystal meth, contributing to its reputation.
According to a 2018 article in Smithsonian Magazine, Slab City is often regarded as a “squatter’s paradise,” touted by locals as one of the last remaining free places in America.
“There are definitely people here who prefer to remain hidden, and the desert certainly provides that kind of opportunity,” the article mentioned.
Lowell Cauffiel, a contributor who spent time in Slab City for research, has authored multiple crime novels, including Under the Line.
