Man Last Seen in Atascadero Missing, Dog Found Dead on Hwy 101

The Atascadero Police Department is asking for the community’s help after a 34-year-old man who was last seen in Atascadero on Oct. 22 was reported missing.

Authorities say Todd Joseph Pinion was most recently active on social media the morning of Oct. 23.

A 34-year-old man’s dog was found dead on Highway 101 near Cuesta Grade on Thursday, according to APD. A California Highway Patrol helicopter reportedly searched the area soon after, but was unable to locate the missing person.

APD says Pinion is known to frequent southern San Luis Obispo County, with recent reports of visits to the Nipomo area. Authorities add that Pinion lived with various friends in several locations.

Officials describe the missing man as 5’10, 115 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Pinion regularly wears numerous rings and bracelets on both hands and has recently been known to wear a red and black fox mask, APD said. He also reportedly has numerous tattoos, including a dreamcatcher on his right shoulder, a fox with a sunflower, octopus tentacles on his right bicep, a strawberry/clock on his left wrist, and a moon with clouds on his left shoulder.

APD says it is working with allied agencies in the search.

Authorities are urging members of the community to contact them if they have any information — no matter how small they think it may be — by emailing or calling Detective Sergeant Kelly Netz at [email protected] or ( 805) 461-5051.

APD is also asking residents to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media as it could hinder the investigation.

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.