Costa Rica pauses search for missing California hiker due to heavy rains and landslide risk

Ashley Phillips, 30, vanished on June 2 while hiking in Costa Rica during severe weather that caused flooding and mudslides. Search efforts, initially underway, have been temporarily paused because of ongoing heavy rains and saturated soils. The family posted an update on June 12 marking 10 days since her disappearance and stating that the search would resume once conditions improve and the drier season begins.

A GoFundMe campaign launched June 9 for the Jonkey and Phillips family set a goal of $20,000 and had raised nearly $15,000 as of Monday. The page described the family living through “every parent’s and sibling’s worst nightmare” after Phillips went missing during the hike. Costa Rica remains under a nationwide green alert due to the risk of flooding and landslides.

The country’s National Emergency Commission said unstable weather is expected to continue as the rainy season intensifies and a nearby low-pressure system develops in the Pacific. Tropical Storm Cristina is moving away without a direct hit but continues to pull moisture across the country, bringing persistent rain, rough seas, and strong winds.

Officials added that the Intertropical Convergence Zone is keeping weather patterns unstable, especially along the Pacific coast and in mountainous areas.

U.S. government is assisting with search and rescue efforts.

U.S. State Department for comment.