- Seth Irvin Dockstader -
NEW UPDATE JANUARY 13, 2005
Early January, 2005 - In a conversation with the coroner regarding Seth's mandible (see the December 20 update below) we learned the following: After the discovery of the mandible in mid December approximately 30 search and rescue personnel combed the area of its discovery but found only a few more fragments belonging to the same bone. The bone discoveries were made near a dirt road in the vicinity of Mill Peak (Seth's Peak to recent campers and staff). None of the bones had been burned.
NEW UPDATE DECEMBER 20, 2004
December 7, 2004 - Citizens using the Running Springs School Road area for recreation found a mandible (lower jaw) with several intact teeth in it. This was compared to Seth's dental records and a positive identification was made.
December 18 - Authorities notified the Dockstader family that Seth's mandible had been found. If there are more developments they will be posted here.
INFORMATION THROUGH NOV 26, 2003.
On October 26th, during the voluntary fire evacuation, the Dockstader family (thinking that Seth had taken a trip north for a few weeks) discovered that he had sent letters to several people that implied suicide. The letters were dated the 21st of October. They checked his cabin at camp and his room in L.A. and found that he had left all of his belongings and business matters organized for his departure. The first week was spent contacting the authorities and following every lead attempting to find him. On October 30 the authorities in the mountains found his car on a forest service road just east of Heaps Peak transfer station. They could not search the area because it was still on fire and very foggy. On November 1, Search and Rescue spent three full days looking for him, though the process was complicated by the layer of ash obscuring all clues. Once Search and Rescue finished, the family spent some time looking until it snowed. Seth left some writings for his family and friends that illuminated what a difficult time he'd been having lately and his reasons for making the decision to leave. As of November 26, he is still a missing person and some search is still being done.
We will post updates as they become available.
LINKS
SURVIVORS Of SUICIDE (unaffiliated web site)