News

Actions

Search for Woman who went Missing in Kern River, Rita Bello, Continues

Search for Missing Woman, Rita Bello, Continues
The Search for Rita Bello Continues
Posted

Rita Bello, the woman who went missing in the Kern River Canyon a week ago, has not been found yet.

According to Sheriff’s Investigators, Bello was with her boyfriend before she disappeared last Monday night.

As per KSCO, her boyfriend says that Bello was taken to the hospital earlier in the day. After she left the hospital, she called him to get her disabled car. He claims that Bello voluntarily went looking for her keys in the Kern River. That's when she was swept away.

Officials have ruled out Bello’s boyfriend as a suspect. But, her loved ones are still desperate for answers. Close friend, Lena Guerra, doesn’t believe that she would voluntarily go into the water.

Increased water levels are hindering search efforts. Crews are expected to search along the river again this week.

9-1-1 Call from Rita Bello’s Boyfriend Obtained by 23 ABC

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Tuesday

01/20/2026

Cloudy

56° / 44°

2%

Wednesday

01/21/2026

AM Fog/PM Clouds

61° / 48°

7%

Thursday

01/22/2026

AM Clouds/PM Sun

60° / 46°

24%

Friday

01/23/2026

Mostly Sunny

63° / 46°

8%

Saturday

01/24/2026

Partly Cloudy

58° / 41°

18%

Sunday

01/25/2026

Partly Cloudy

62° / 42°

3%

Monday

01/26/2026

Partly Cloudy

63° / 40°

1%

Tuesday

01/27/2026

Partly Cloudy

64° / 43°

1%