Father speaks out on search

Searchers remained “upbeat” and “optimistic” Wednesday as they continued to scour Orange County’s Trabuco Canyon for signs of two teenage hikers missing for days, one of the teen’s fathers said.

Kyndall Jack, 18, and Nicholas Cendoya, 19, both of Costa Mesa, got lost on Easter Sunday, telling authorities late that evening that they were about a mile from their car in Holy Jim Canyon. Their cellphone lost power soon afterward, and no contact has been made since.

Jack’s father told reporters Wednesday morning that dozens of friends and family were still combing the area. A sheriff’s deputy called out on a loudspeaker: “Nicholas and Kyndall, this is the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. We want to help you.”

AUDIO: Russ Jack Interview

“At this point, everybody’s still upbeat, optimistic about finding the kids in good shape and alive,” Russ Jack said.

Russ Jack said about 4:15 a.m., “little sparks” spotted on a hillside, “like a dead lighter trying to get somebody’s attention.”

“It ended up being nothing,” he said. “They already searched out as daybreak came.”

Russ Jack ended the brief interview with a message for his daughter.

“Kyndall, I love you,” he said.

This story was reported by Times Staff Writer Kate Mather.