A group of people searching for Christmas tree in the woods of Northern California instead found a woman who had been kidnapped and was struggling to survive, police say.

The 25-year-old woman, who has not been identified, was only wearing a pair of dead shorts when she was found.

She told police she had been hiding in a dead tree and drank water from puddles in order to survive, the Redding Record Searchlight reports.

The woman was found near Hat Creek, 60 miles away from her hometown of Redding.

She told police that Johanna Knighten, 33, and Fred Sanderson, 44, kidnapped her on Sunday.

Fred Sanderson (left) and Johanna Knighten (right) is wanted for his alleged role in the kidnapping of a 25-year-old woman who was found partially clothed by a group of people in search of a Christmas tree

A motive has not been established but police say the duo might have thought the woman stole drugs from them.

She said that Sanderson assaulted her and that the duo stole her clothes before leaving her in the woods, where she experienced wintry temperatures.

She was found on Monday and taken to a hospital.

Knighten has been arrested and could face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and conspiracy.

Sanderson, who has a history of previous arrests, remains at large.

Redding is the same town Sherri Papini disappeared from in November 2016. She seemed to vanish without a trace while jogging.

But on November 24, 22 days later, she was found alive by the side of the road shackled, bruised and emaciated.

Those with information are asked to call the Redding Police Department at (530) 225-4200.