Authorities sought the public’s help today in finding a couple who were reported missing after heading out for a visit to Joshua Tree National Park.
Tony Nosow of Landers and Helen Melnyk of Lakewood were reported missing by family members Sunday night. They had planned to drive back-county roads in the park on Saturday, park spokesman Joe Zarki said.
“Interviews with park staff led rangers to believe that a vehicle with a driver matching Mr. Nosow’s description entered the park about mid-morning on Saturday,” Zarki said.
Rangers and California Highway Patrol aircraft crews were unable to find the couple or the truck. A missing-persons report was filed with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in Lakewood, Zarki said.
“It is uncertain if Melnyk or Nosow remain in the park or left the park before they were reported overdue,” Zarki said.
Melnyk, 56, has short brown hair, blue eyes, glasses and is 5-foot-1 and about 210 pounds. Nosow, 59, has long grayish-white hair and a beard, hazel or brown eyes, is 5-foot-9, about 230 pounds and walks with a cane. His truck is a dark blue or gray Chevrolet Silverado, license plate 32248B1.
Anyone with information was asked to call the Federal Interagency Communications Center at (909) 383-5651.







