WILLITS, 11/23/20 — Two dead bodies have been found off Hulls Valley Road, north of Covelo according to Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Captain Greg Van Patten. The bodies remain as yet unidentified, and we do not have information as to the sex, age, or state of decomposition — however, law enforcement believe that this may be connected to the earlier disappearance and possible kidnapping of Kyle James McCartney, 34, and Traci Lynn Bland, 48, both of Covelo.
The pair were last seen Thursday, Nov. 19, when they were allegedly attacked, according to the reporting party. According to this person, the three had been attacked and the reporting party had managed to escape.
McCartney and Bland’s vehicle was later found abandoned. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the situation as a missing persons case, with the possibility of kidnapping.
This afternoon an unconnected person found the bodies in a remote location in the rugged hills north of Covelo, and reported the discovery to authorities. Deputies and detectives remain on the scene and a positive identification has not been announced, potentially pending notification of next of kin, though given the remote location and difficulty in travel it may simply be a matter of logistics and transport.
Regardless of whether or not these bodies are connected to the earlier disappearance it appears that foul play was likely involved. If so these would likely be the fifth and sixth homicides in the county in the last two months. Mendocino County has already recorded substantially more than the average number of killings this year, and the year is not up.
Here is the original press release from the MCSO, it has not been updated with information about the bodies.
DATE: “November 23, 2020”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Incident Number: 2020-28445
Crime/Incident: Missing Persons, Suspicious Circumstances, Possible Kidnapping
Location: 24400 Block of Oak Lane, Covelo CA
Date of Incident: Thursday November 19, 2020
Time: 12:45 PM
Victim(s): Kyle James McCartney, 34 years of age, Covelo CA
Traci Lynn Bland, 48 years of age, Covelo CASuspect(s): Not Identified
Written By: Lieutenant Shannon Barney
Synopsis: On 11/19/2020 around 12:46 hours the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from the 24400 Block of Oak Lane related to a reported assault and possible kidnapping of missing persons Kyle McCartney, 34 years of age, and Traci Bland, 48 years of age, both residents of the Covelo area. The reporting party was initially uncooperative but eventually related earlier that day he was taken to an address on Oak Lane by the two missing persons. When they arrived four unknown Hispanic or Native American suspects attacked and assaulted Kyle and Traci. The reporting party indicated he fled and the missing persons where possibly kidnapped and have not been seen since Thursday November 19th, after 12:45 PM. The reporting party thought they were taken from their property in their own vehicle. This vehicle, a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe (Gold colored) California License #7TZZ158, was later located, abandoned, near another address on Oak Lane. The vehicle had not been there when the Sheriff’s Office responded to that location after receiving the 911 call.
At this time the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this missing persons incident as a possible kidnapping and assault as neither missing person has been seen since the November 19th incident. Anyone with information about this incident, the whereabouts of the two missing persons, or the specific movement of the the vehicle shown in the attached photograph to please contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit is interested in the specific time frame of the vehicle movement between 12:45 PM and 3:00 PM on Thursday the 19th. The vehicle may have frequented the Mendocino Pass Road area as well as other areas in an around the Round Valley area. The Sheriff’s Office is looking to hear from anyone with specific information related to this case. If you have any information related to this case please call the Sheriff’s Office Communications line at 707-463-4086 or the Tip line at 707-234-2100.
Funny the cops can’t even find the bodies 4 Days later …… some random did there job ! We need new leadership !!!!!!!!! To many Snakes !!!!!! Fuck Kindle !
That is strange 2 people attacked broad daylight one gets away and cops couldn’t get to these people in time. Its unreal. I know its rural in covelo but I think they could have caught these thugs. I do know kyle I went to school with him he didn’t deserve this I bet that girl got him fucked up it’s usually the female to get u in a situation like that
Yeah The bitch was super super foul ! But you’re right we have major problems especially with the police department in situations like this that remind you of how safe you really are and you’re looking for the cops for any kind of justice or protection you might as well hang it up it’s been going on for a long time they never bust any of the natives and it’s always the same motherfuckers not to mention I’m sure the cops are going on a half the time ! Covelo needs new leadership !
Yeah The bitch was super super foul ! But you’re right we have major problems especially with the police department in situations like this that remind you of how safe you really are and you’re looking for the cops for any kind of justice or protection you might as well hang it up it’s been going on for a long time they never bust any of the natives and it’s always the same motherfuckers not to mention I’m sure the cops are going on a half the time ! Covelo needs new leadership !
That’s not always the case.aa far as the female usually getting into these mixes.i mean it prob was in this case,but not always.and I to new Kyle very well and ur 100 percent right,he did not deserve this,my deepest thoughts and condolenes to his friends,family and children.and just for the record,I heard the 3rd who got away was Kyle’s dad?figure that one out.
Mendocino County Sheriff’s department are nothing but cowards!!!! Why would they not take a kidnapping seriously. They are all so corrupt it’s out right disgusting. I grew up with Kyle, the woman he was killed with was trouble. I wish he would have made better choices with his life. He didn’t deserve this.
My heart goes out to his family. Rest In Peace Kyle, love u!
Cowards is the understatement of the year!!!and I’m sure that they didn’t take it seriously because their very close minded and judgemental!!!it was prob another “just a couple more homeless junkies off the streets that we don’t have to deal with”type bullshit I’m sure,just like all the rest of he unsolved or uncared about cases!!!!
SHUT UP YOUR HEARSAY IS UNECESSARY