PRIVATE SEARCH AND RESCUE in missing persons cases
Finding Jon Lowke
When a loved one goes missing, every minute matters. Primary search and rescue (SAR) teams, often affiliated with local law enforcement agencies, are staffed by highly trained professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly to locate the missing. Yet even with their expertise, no search operation is foolproof. Terrain, weather, and the limits of time and resources mean that sometimes, critical clues or even the subject themselves may be missed.
This was the reality in the search for Jon Lowke, a man reported missing in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, in August 2025. Orange County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue conducted extensive efforts over several days, including air and ground searches, before officially standing down on August 9. Jon’s family, determined to continue the effort, launched a GoFundMe campaign to retain my services as a licensed private investigator and search and rescue specialist.
From Investigation to Location
When I was brought into the case, I didn’t simply start searching with boots on the ground or a drone in the air. My process began with investigation, learning everything I could about Jon, his known movements, and his interactions in the days leading up to his disappearance.
One of the first things I examined upon arriving at the scene was Jon’s truck, which had been found earlier in the week on Modjeska Canyon Road. The road’s narrow width, combined with the surrounding terrain, led me to conclude that Jon likely parked there because he had visually identified the spot where he wanted to enter the wilderness. From my analysis, this strongly suggested one specific mountain as the most probable route he would have taken.
With that determination made, I hiked into the wilderness carrying a DJI M30T drone. Once in position, I launched the drone and began scanning the opposite side of the mountain — an area of vertical rock walls that would have been extremely difficult to search from the ground. Within six minutes, I had located Jon on a steep and narrow ledge.
Coordinating with Official SAR
At that point, I turned the case back over to Orange County SAR, who handled the recovery with precision and professionalism. Using a helicopter and rope teams, they were able to reach Jon’s location and bring him home to his family.
The Advantages of Private SAR Involvement
Private search and rescue resources can complement, not replace, the work of official agencies. When brought into a case, a highly experienced private investigator with SAR training can provide:
Focused, Independent Operations
The flexibility to act quickly on investigative leads without bureaucratic delay.Specialized Tools and Techniques
Advanced drone technology, terrain analysis, and investigative profiling used together to focus the search in the most probable areas.Integrated Investigative and Search Skills
The ability to merge missing persons investigative techniques with search and rescue fieldcraft for maximum efficiency.Seamless Coordination
Once a subject is located, private SAR can hand over to official teams for safe and effective recovery operations.
Why Private SAR Matters
The goal in any search is to bring closure , ideally by reuniting the missing with their loved ones. Official SAR teams provide an invaluable service, but they operate within certain constraints of time, manpower, and mission priorities. A qualified private investigator trained in SAR can extend the search window, apply specialized resources, and bring an investigative perspective that complements field operations.
For families, this means more search hours, fresh strategies, and the possibility of breakthroughs even after official operations have concluded.
If you’d like to learn more about my credentials, training, and experience in missing persons search and rescue, you can visit my bio page here (BIO). You can contact Steve Fischer and Search Investigations at 1-877-619-9890 or through the contact page on our website HERE.
