"Help me," the caller repeatedly whispered to the 911 dispatcher before hanging up.
Sheriff's Cpl. Ronald Whitman knew the call came from a woman who lived near an airstrip in the rural California town of Kettenpom, about two hours away from the nearest Trinity County sheriff's station. But instead of sending a deputy to her home, Whitman called the woman's neighbors.
Norma and James Gund lived on a small horse ranch about a quarter mile away. Whitman asked the couple if they could check on their neighbor, Kristine Constantino, who they had seen only a handful of times.
