The Maui hiker missing for 16 days was found injured but alive in the Makawao Forest Reserve, according to media reports and a Facebook post on her search page Friday afternoon.
Amanda Eller, 35, was last seen on May 8. The next day, her boyfriend reported her missing and her white Toyota RAV4 was found parked in the reserve parking lot.
According to the Facebook post, "Amanda has been found. She got lost and was stuck and slightly injured in the forest- way way out. somewhere way far above Twin Falls. Between two waterfalls down a deep ravine in a creek bed. Chris and Javier spotted her and she spotted them, waving them down. She is being air evacuated now. She just talked to her father on the phone. Amanda Eller is ALIVE!!!!"
On May 12, after an intensive air and land operation, Maui County's Department of Fire & Public Safety issued a statement that it was suspending its search for Eller. The department said it would resume the search if new information developed.
Volunteers, friends and famiy, however, continued the search and started a GoFundMe online fundraiser for expenses. As of today, it had raised $76,565 out of a $100,000 goal.
Hawaii News Now reported that Eller's mother, Julia Eller, confirmed her daughter was found. “I can’t even put it into words. I’m so incredible grateful,” she said.
Updated: May 26, 8:13 a.m.
