A California woman who has been missing since June was found dead not far from her planned destination before she disappeared eight months ago while on a road trip.

As KTVU reports, Erika Lloyd’s brother said in a post on a Facebook page devoted to Erika’s missing persons investigation that hikers found a body in the High Desert area on January 31, and a medical examination confirmed that it was the missing 37-year-old mother of a 12-year-old boy.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Lloyd left her home in Walnut Creek on June 14 for a road trip to Joshua Tree, about a 7-hour drive. Her family said she had been experiencing a great deal of pandemic-related stress, including the loss of a job and homeschooling her son. Her last contact with her family was on June 16. The same day, her damaged vehicle was found about 19 miles from Joshua Tree National Park, where she had been headed.

Though the vehicle was damaged in multiple places, including the windshield and a back window, investigators did not find evidence of an accident on the highway where the car was found.

Lloyd’s brother Colin Lloyd said in the Facebook post that his sister’s body was found in Wonder Valley, which is just outside Joshua Tree National Park. His post did not mention the condition of the body, and it is not yet known if investigators have determined a cause of death.

“Remember her, cherish her memory, celebrate moments past, and laugh; she would always make you laugh,” Colin wrote.

“Erika adored everyone; she left a bright smile on everyone’s heart; she would remind you of who you truly were and how important and loved you were; she warmed your soul. Let us hold her spirit dearly, and allow it to work through us to serve others (what she would want us to do).”

This is a developing story. CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.

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