Missing hiker (Monica Reza)

[SideQuestHiker]

Does anyone here know when heat sensitive/FLIR equipment was first used in the search? Were they able to use it the day she went missing, or not until the next day? If not until the next day, and Monica died soon after going missing, then the next day would probably be too late to find a body's remaining heat signature after laying out in the cool mountain air all night. Especially someone her size.

[SideQuestHiker]

Does anyone here know when heat sensitive/FLIR equipment was first used in the search?

Hmm. I found one clue here https://rmru.org/2025-024/ that says night vision goggles were used on the day she disappeared.

"Sunday, 6/22 – Operational Period 1

...Teams from Montrose, LA Sheriffs and LA Fire worked tirelessly that night searching on the ground and via helicopter equipped with night vision goggles until 2am, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in finding Monica."

And another clue in a post by RH dated Nov 30, 2025 that mentions FLIR helicopters the morning after she disappeared.

There were FLIR helicopters the first morning after she disappeared and they only located a bear and other searchers with their thermal radar.

Not sure how "night vision goggles" compare to FLIR. Probably not as good.

[SideQuestHiker]

New article from LA Magazine has some more details that reportedly come from family members.

https://lamag.com/news/exclusive-for-mo ... ake-sense/

[HikeUp]

In these cases I'm a firm believer in Squatchy's Law: when in doubt, blame Squatch!

The least celebrated member of the UAP stable.