Found Deceased Spain - Esther Dingley, from UK, missing in the Pyrenees, November 2020

[Bickles]

From the link - posting the map with dates. I've been confused about the dates. I thought the mystery photographer was Nov 19, but this map suggests that he was with her on Nov 22, the same day that she was seen alone by the couple who were descending the summit.

Is it correct that her last contact with anyone was when she was with the mystery photographer where she decided to go with him to get a lift?

Yes, this seems to indicate there was another hiker Esther met on 19th Nov. Maybe not the same one who took the photo?

 

[Andreee]

I totally agree that Occam tells us its likely she has had an accident somewhere and sadly not been found ...but ..and I'm not really one for "unlikely wild theories" at all...its not impossible the mystery hiker was around the area for days after she mentioned him

Looking at that aerial video taken by the helicopter on DM, I see that the trail goes quite close to the water at some points. For me, I can see myself slipping on the rocky terrain and falling into the water, which is apparently deep in parts, with no-one the wiser. But then again, you would think there would be a sign of that, with scrap marks, hiking equipment or poles left behind. If it wasn't for the mystery male hiker, I would of course think she had some kind of accident while in route, as it doesn't seem like she could be lost as such due to the open terrain. If I was the mystery hiker and only had innocent intentions, I am not sure I would come forward, due to the feeling of being made a suspect and having suspicion cast on me.

 

[patCee]

From the link - posting the map with dates. I've been confused about the dates. I thought the mystery photographer was Nov 19, but this map suggests that he was with her on Nov 22, the same day that she was seen alone by the couple who were descending the summit.

Is it correct that her last contact with anyone was when she was with the mystery photographer where she decided to go with him to get a lift?

It does seem confusing from the map. However reading this link below I think it's possible that she had a lift from the mystery hiker on the 19th. It's likely that the she didn't send the photo to DC until the 22nd. Maybe the mystery hiker took the photo with his phone and sent it to her phone sometime later. That could explain why it seemed odd with the white lines around her and positions of her feet.
Mystery man who gave hiker lift 3 days before she vanished hunted by cops

 

[kittythehare]

He does not believe she is up there (Dec2,BBC)
https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1334061885759647745?s=20

 

[kittythehare]

Last night a source close to the search for Ms Esther Dingley in the Pyrenees told the Mail of his fears she could have fallen into a lake or other freezing water.

The 37-year-old had been planning to camp next to one of a number of high altitude lakes in the area days before her disappearance.

Such an accident could also explain why no trace had been found, particularly as the lake would since have iced over, possibly for months to come
Missing British hiker’s boyfriend joins search in Pyrenees as hopes fade of finding her alive

 

[Skigh]

Is this the first they are doing a forensic search of the campervan? I hope I am interpreting this wrong.

Perhaps some information they have discovered has led them to the van.

 

[Sjm_qc]

From the link - posting the map with dates. I've been confused about the dates. I thought the mystery photographer was Nov 19, but this map suggests that he was with her on Nov 22, the same day that she was seen alone by the couple who were descending the summit.

Is it correct that her last contact with anyone was when she was with the mystery photographer where she decided to go with him to get a lift?

This is The Fail mixing things up & getting them wrong

Mystery hiker who took the (full length) photo & gave her a lift was on the 19th.

On the 22nd she was seen by the Olympic skier witness on her way up Salvaguardia alone. The pic she sent her partner that day was a selfie (the same as or a very similar one she took on the 21st).

(on the 22nd she also spoke to her father and her partner).

If you go to her IG (Estheranddan), you can figure out which photos were taken/posted when.

 

[ZaZara]

Perhaps some information they have discovered has led them to the van.

IMO LE have to search the van as part of the entire search. Per procedure and to prevent tunnel vision. They cannot say: oh we thought she was in the mountains so we did not look in the van, lalala why bother?

They may find clues and information there, or they may not. The point is that this van is investigated and an official, expert report is made.
For the same reasons, LE may check security & traffic cameras in the area, and telecom data. Spanish investigators are highly skilled in these fields.

I think they are searching the van to confirm what Esther took with her, and to exclude the vehicle as a location of interest.

At some moment in the near or not so near future, this investigation will reach a conclusion about what happened to Esther and the findings about the campervan will be part of that conclusion.

 

[Sjm_qc]

Is this the first they are doing a forensic search of the campervan? I hope I am interpreting this wrong.

I’m taking this with a grain of salt, because the source is the Daily Fail, as to when the camper was searched: yesterday they reported that the police had finished searching the camper and released it to her partner.

I suspect and speculate that the photo of the camper may not be from today.

 

[Liz40]

I am not sure it is her. haven't seen her in earrings like that before.

I haven't read Esther's post, but, this comment

"He'd take me further up the valley so I could continue my planned tour to another refuge or back to the camper".

Is Esther saying the mystery fellow hiker gave her a lift more than once?

I think it's possible. The familiarity was definitely there.

 

[Sjm_qc]

While no maps of the search areas have been published by the authorities (as far as I can find), there were search teams from both countries who deployed considerable resources (kudos to them) both ground and air for a week, so I think they did probably search quite a large area/the possible route after the Salvaguardia summit.

Bringing this forward because I found a list of the areas searched in addition to around Pico Salvaguardia, the Venasque refuge & originally planned route.

It’s from the Spanish news outlet La Vanguardia’s 4/12 edition
https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20201203/49859275476/esther-dingley-dan-colegate-benasque-pirineo-desaparicion-montana-accidente.html


“After a week of intense search, yesterday, an operation made up of specialists from the mountain rescue and intervention groups of the Civil Guard of Benasque, Boltaña, Huesca and Jaca, as well as the Huesca Air Unit, again scanned extensive areas of the Pyrenees trying to find a trace of the woman without success. The teams covered different areas: the Salenques crest, the Coronas refuge, the Literola valley, the Perdiguero peak and the Estós valley, reported the Huesca commandant. Troops based in Vielha, as well as the Val d'Aran firefighters, also joined in to search the Catalan side. Nor is it ruled out that she changed her initial plans and followed another itinerary.”

“Tras una semana de intensa búsqueda, ayer, un operativo integrado por especialistas de los grupos de rescate e intervención en montaña de la Guardia Civil de Benasque, Boltaña, Huesca y Jaca, además de además de la Unidad Aérea de Huesca, volvieron a rastrear amplias zonas del Pirineo intentando dar sin éxito con algún rastro de la mujer. Los equipos se repartieron por distintas áreas: la cresta de Salenques, el refugio Coronas, el valle de Literola, el pico Perdiguero y el valle de Estós, informaron en la Comandacia de Huesca. También se sumaron efectivos con base en Vielha, así como de los bomberos de la Val d’Aran, para explorar la parte catalana. Tampoco se descarta que cambiara sus planes iniciales y siguiera otro itinerario.”

I’ve included the original Spanish quote because my Spanish isn’t great & my translation is aided by Google (which I don’t always trust).

I’ve been having a look at some of the terrain on maps & photos and sadly I can see plenty of places for an accident to occur and for a body not to be easily found.

 

[Auntie_Seagull]

It's been two weeks with drones, helicopters, announcements, news so it would be difficult to be unaware of the searches in the area.

That's assuming he is still hiking in the area of Pico del Salvaguardia. Pyrenees are huge, though, over 300 miles in lenght.

 

[Auntie_Seagull]

From the link - posting the map with dates. I've been confused about the dates. I thought the mystery photographer was Nov 19, but this map suggests that he was with her on Nov 22, the same day that she was seen alone by the couple who were descending the summit.

Is it correct that her last contact with anyone was when she was with the mystery photographer where she decided to go with him to get a lift?

This map is wrong. The pic was snapped on November 19, NOT on the Pico de Salvaguardia. Both pictures done on the Pico are very obvious selfies.

 

[Auntie_Seagull]

It does seem confusing from the map. However reading this link below I think it's possible that she had a lift from the mystery hiker on the 19th. It's likely that the she didn't send the photo to DC until the 22nd.

It is not likely, more it is fully impossible, as she published the photo, alongside with the description mentioning the mystery hiker, on November 19. It is there, clear as a day, on Dan&Esther FB. <modsnip>

 

[patCee]

It is not likely, more it is fully impossible, as she published the photo, alongside with the description mentioning the mystery hiker, on November 19. It is there, clear as a day, on Dan&Esther FB. Can we stick to the facts, please?

It's good to have the information from their own words on Facebook. Trouble is many of us don't have (or want|) access to Facebook and rely on various published accounts and those, like yourself who watch Facebook. Plus a level of speculation, feelings about the people and actions involved. Otherwise Facebook/police becomes the only source allowed at this stage.In any case what the facts seem to be at this stage may yet turn out to be wrong.

 

[Auntie_Seagull]

It's good to have the information from their own words on Facebook. Trouble is many of us don't have (or want|) access to Facebook and rely on various published accounts and those, like yourself who watch Facebook. Plus a level of speculation, feelings about the people and actions involved. Otherwise Facebook/police becomes the only source allowed at this stage.In any case what the facts seem to be at this stage may yet turn out to be wrong.

Still, if the full-figure photo of Esther, with description mentioning the other hiker, was published November 19, then it was published November 19. Not 22. Unless we are dealing here with Doctor Who and his blue booth.

And it was stated in this thread multiple times that the picture in question was snapped and published on November 19 <modsnip>

 

[Sjm_qc]

It's been two weeks with drones, helicopters, announcements, news so it would be difficult to be unaware of the searches in the area.

That's assuming he is still hiking in the area of Pico del Salvaguardia. Pyrenees are huge, though, over 300 miles in lenght.

It’s also possible that the authorities may have already ruled him out for whatever reason, including that they’ve spoken to him, and they just haven’t made a public statement.

ETA: it’s of course equally possible that they haven’t said anything more about him because they have information they haven’t published which requires further investigation to rule him out/“clear” him.

As far as I can see, LE haven’t given any official updates for several days now. Most of what is being published in the media is rehashes of previous articles/statements.

 

[Huffbuff]

In case it’s helpful they posted simultaneously on Instagram.

As has already been noted up thread Esther stopped posting on Facebook on the 19th but still posted blog updates on Instagram until the 21st.

(Presumably) Dan carried on posting on Facebook after the 19th about books for sale and the BBC interview etc.

He then posted on Facebook on the 28th that Esther was missing.

Esther & Dan - Adventuring Together - Life, Love, Health & Travel

Once you are signed into Instagram the second link takes you to their daily photo gallery and Esther’s daily commentary.

Login • Instagram

 

[ZaZara]

Bringing this forward because I found a list of the areas searched in addition to around Pico Salvaguardia, the Venasque refuge & originally planned route.

It’s from the Spanish news outlet La Vanguardia’s 4/12 edition
https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20201203/49859275476/esther-dingley-dan-colegate-benasque-pirineo-desaparicion-montana-accidente.html


“After a week of intense search, yesterday, an operation made up of specialists from the mountain rescue and intervention groups of the Civil Guard of Benasque, Boltaña, Huesca and Jaca, as well as the Huesca Air Unit, again scanned extensive areas of the Pyrenees trying to find a trace of the woman without success. The teams covered different areas: the Salenques crest, the Coronas refuge, the Literola valley, the Perdiguero peak and the Estós valley, reported the Huesca commandant. Troops based in Vielha, as well as the Val d'Aran firefighters, also joined in to search the Catalan side. Nor is it ruled out that she changed her initial plans and followed another itinerary.”

“Tras una semana de intensa búsqueda, ayer, un operativo integrado por especialistas de los grupos de rescate e intervención en montaña de la Guardia Civil de Benasque, Boltaña, Huesca y Jaca, además de además de la Unidad Aérea de Huesca, volvieron a rastrear amplias zonas del Pirineo intentando dar sin éxito con algún rastro de la mujer. Los equipos se repartieron por distintas áreas: la cresta de Salenques, el refugio Coronas, el valle de Literola, el pico Perdiguero y el valle de Estós, informaron en la Comandacia de Huesca. También se sumaron efectivos con base en Vielha, así como de los bomberos de la Val d’Aran, para explorar la parte catalana. Tampoco se descarta que cambiara sus planes iniciales y siguiera otro itinerario.”

I’ve included the original Spanish quote because my Spanish isn’t great & my translation is aided by Google (which I don’t always trust).

I’ve been having a look at some of the terrain on maps & photos and sadly I can see plenty of places for an accident to occur and for a body not to be easily found.

So many units and experts were involved in the searches!

My idea is that initially, the search was for a living person who had wandered off and maybe gotten lost. She had not gone missing for long at that time, so this was a distinct possibility. Searchers would be looking for her or for a landmark like her tent.

When her partner hiked the area where Esther would have been walking, he noticed that the network is actually good in many places. That was, in fact, very telling. Esther was not in a location where she had access to the internet, because in that case she would have raised the alarm. She was not lost and wandering ~ she would know how to solve that by training anyway.

The results of both searches plus the fact that she did not turn up of her own account lead to the conclusion that something has happened to Esther, she hasn't been at the refuge where she planned to go and where she would have arrived within a few hours from the top of the Salvaguardia.

IMHO she stuck to her plan, and whatever happened to her, happened between the top of the mountain and the refuge, not in a different area. When the locals suggest that she may have gone into the water and drowned, that sadly is a likely option.

 

[Auntie_Seagull]

So many units and experts were involved in the searches!

My idea is that initially, the search was for a living person who had wandered off and maybe gotten lost. She had not gone missing for long at that time, so this was a distinct possibility. Searchers would be looking for her or for a landmark like her tent.

That's my impression too.

When her partner hiked the area where Esther would have been walking, he noticed that the network is actually good in many places. That was, in fact, very telling. Esther was not in a location where she had access to the internet, because in that case she would have raised the alarm. She was not lost and wandering ~ she would know how to solve that by training anyway.

Or her phone got destroyed. Like, during a fall or sth like that. Or the battery died much faster than Esther expected (happens often with old and worn out batteries).

IMHO she stuck to her plan, and whatever happened to her, happened between the top of the mountain and the refuge, not in a different area. When the locals suggest that she may have gone into the water and drowned, that sadly is a likely option.

As much as I'd want to see Esther alive and well, I have to agree with this conclusion.