Posted on April 23, 2024

Woman Accidentally Joins Search Party Looking for Herself

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Elkhart, IN — In a bizarre and unexpectedly hilarious twist, a woman named Krisonda unknowingly joined a search party that had been organized to find her after she was reported missing in Boot Lake Nature Preserve. What started as a relaxing solo hike turned into one of the strangest incidents the area has seen in years — and one that will likely live on in local legend.

Krisonda, a lifelong Elkhart resident and self-proclaimed adventurer, had planned to spend a peaceful Saturday getting some fresh air and “reconnecting with nature.” According to friends, she was known for wandering off the beaten path, both figuratively and literally. That day was no different.

She set out early with snacks, water, and a hand-drawn map of the preserve she had found online. Sometime in the late afternoon, while exploring a secluded part of the 300-acre park, she became enthralled by a hidden pond surrounded by cattails and moss-covered trees. She described it later as “weirdly magical,” which may explain why she didn’t notice the sun starting to dip behind the trees — or that she had no idea how to get back to the main trail.

Back in town, Krisonda’s best friend Brooke had expected her to check in hours earlier. When she hadn’t heard from her by evening and repeated texts went unanswered, Brooke began to worry. Knowing Krisonda’s fondness for “adventurous detours,” Brooke contacted the local parks department and organized a search party with the help of community members.

Word of the missing hiker spread quickly. Within an hour, several residents — some friends, some strangers — gathered at the entrance to Boot Lake Nature Preserve, flashlights in hand, ready to help track down the missing nature enthusiast. A few even brought dogs, granola bars, and walkie-talkies. They began scouring the trails, calling out Krisonda’s name and checking nearby landmarks where she was known to wander.

Meanwhile, in the woods, Krisonda had realized she might be lost but wasn't panicking. She had water, a flashlight, and enough stubborn optimism to keep going. As she made her way through the preserve, she eventually stumbled across a group of strangers calling out a name that sounded oddly familiar.

“I thought, wow, small world — another Krisonda,” she later said. “What are the odds?”

Dirt-smudged and a little winded from hiking in circles, Krisonda approached the group, who welcomed her warmly. None of them recognized her right away, thanks in part to the fading light, her disheveled appearance, and the general chaos of an active search. One man handed her a spare flashlight. Someone else offered her trail mix. Grateful and confused, Krisonda accepted both and joined the effort.

“I figured they were looking for someone who got lost, and I didn’t want to be rude,” she said. “So I started yelling with them.”

Unaware of the incredible irony, Krisonda spent the next forty minutes helping search for herself. She walked alongside concerned volunteers, called out her own name into the darkening woods, and even suggested they check near a secluded pond she had discovered earlier.

“She was very helpful,” said one volunteer. “Kind of took charge, actually. We thought she was just really dedicated.”

The moment of realization came as the group circled back toward the preserve entrance, where more volunteers had gathered. Among them was Brooke, who gasped when she saw her supposedly missing best friend marching up the trail with a flashlight and a confident stride. Brooke shouted her name in disbelief. The searchers paused. Krisonda blinked. Someone dropped a granola bar.

In the silence that followed, one volunteer asked, “Wait… are you the Krisonda we’re looking for?”

To which she replied, “Depends. Is she also cold, hungry, and really regretting not bringing bug spray?”

Laughter erupted almost immediately. The absurdity of the situation hit everyone at once. Krisonda had not only found her way out of the woods — she had led a portion of the search party right to the entrance without realizing she was the missing person the whole time.

In an interview later that night, Krisonda reflected on the experience. “Lately I’ve been saying I need to find myself. I just didn’t expect it to be so literal,” she said, shaking her head. “Honestly, I feel like I owe everyone s’mores or something.”

Brooke, still recovering from the emotional rollercoaster, added, “Only Krisonda could get lost and end up joining her own search party. What a dumb dumb. It’s definitely a story we’ll never forget — mostly because I plan to bring it up at every birthday, holiday, and social event from now until the end of time.”

Park officials confirmed that Krisonda was never in any real danger. She had stayed within the preserve’s bounds, carried basic supplies, and remained calm throughout the ordeal. Still, they took the opportunity to remind hikers to stay on marked trails, check in with someone before and after a solo hike, and consider downloading a GPS-based trail app.

As for Krisonda, she said she has no plans to give up her nature outings — though she might bring a friend next time. She also admits she now carries a whistle and has a much better understanding of the preserve’s trail system.

By the following day, the story had already made the rounds across Elkhart. One coffee shop offered a “Krisonda Special,” which included a scone, a bottle of water, and a note reminding customers not to yell their own names in the woods. Several residents even pitched the idea of turning the event into an annual “Find Yourself” hike, complete with snacks and maps.

“I guess if you’re going to get lost, you might as well do it in style,” Krisonda said with a laugh. “And hey — at least now I know how great the people of Elkhart are when someone goes missing.”

Her story has become the kind of tale that spreads quickly in small towns — a strange, funny, harmless event that reminds people how weird life can be. And how sometimes, you really do just have to find yourself. Even if it means joining your own search party to do it.