Missing man grew up in west county
Kale Gonick-Hallows has been missing since Jan. 5
UPDATE: The Sebastopol Times learned yesterday that Kale Gonick-Hallows, who went missing on Jan. 5, was found dead on the Sonoma Coast. His mother, Gail, gave us permission to reprint her Facebook announcement:
I have some difficult, heavy news. My son, Kale, was found in his car off the Sonoma County Coast last night. He likely died late Monday night, 1/5/26. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from our friends and community, both near and far, and so many people who showed up and joined us in searching for him. We will keep you updated as plans unfold for gathering to celebrate his life.
Kale Gonick-Hallows, 06/06/1996-01/05/2026
The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety is asking for help locating Kale Gonick-Hallows, 29. He has been missing since Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, and is believed to be suffering from a mental health crisis.
His mother, Gail Gonick-Hallows of Graton, told the Sebastopol Times that Kale and his family moved from San Francisco to west county when he was in the 4th grade. He attended a number of west county schools, attended SRJC and graduated from Sonoma State in 2024. He has recently been living in Rohnert Park.
Kale is believed to be driving his bright blue 2023 Model Y Tesla (California License Plate 9HOS517). It was last seen near Bodega Bay on Monday evening.
He is believed to be somewhere on the Sonoma Coast or in any of the wooded areas within Sonoma County—Armstrong Redwoods, Sonoma Coast Redwoods, Russian River, The Grove of Old Trees or Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve—because, as his mother said, “he loved the redwood forests.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Communications Center at (707) 584-2600.
