Found Deceased AK - Jaxson Brown, 5, hiking w/mom, Ketchikan, 26 Mar 2020

[Knox]

Totally, I’ve read before that those who survive suicide often reflect in the split second before that they don’t want to die anymore, which makes their survival a wonderful miracle. Just didn’t know if @kelsie had a particular reason for that inkling.

Personally, I think this was a homicide mission and she thought that the leg break might help to perceive this all as a horrible tragedy due to the conditions and not the situation she put them in. Moo

Good insight, your thoughts make sense given her history.

 

[Inquisitive2018]

I hope there is someone who was in this child's life that will be his voice and push to ensure that his death is fully investigated.

 

[moody_chicago]

Good insight, your thoughts make sense given her history.

Her history?

 

[Subiechik21]

Merry Christmas little man! I know you are warm & protected in heaven now!

 

[Marg from Oz]

So sad. So many children not around for this Christmas.

 

[Inquisitive2018]

Only two people know the truth and one of them is dead...

 

[ColyH]

If I was the district attorney I don't think I would bring up charges on the mother. I seriously doubt a jury is going to convict her when the only real evidence is that she did some things people wouldn't have done themselves. I believe she is guilty of poor judgement more than anything criminal.

 

[MimosaMornings]

A tarp and an iPad on a hike?

 

[Ninja Bunny]

‘That’s the trail Daddy and I have been on,’ he said, pointing in the opposite direction. ‘Can we do that one?’

‘Do you know how long you and Daddy walked for?’ I asked, unable to see an information board anywhere. ‘Not long,’ he said. ‘OK then,’ I smiled.

I’m thinking she may have mistaken Lunch Creek for Lunch Falls. Lunch Falls is an easy 1/2 mile loop near the trail head. Lunch Creek is a 9.6 mile round trip over more difficult terrain going into the forest.

I uploaded a photo of a map showing both routes. All of Lunch Falls is inside the purple circle. I marked Lunch Creek with red dashes, the end with a red X. The second photo is a close-up of the Lunch Falls loop.

 

[al66pine]

2 Different Trails?

I’m thinking she may have mistaken Lunch Creek for Lunch Falls. Lunch Falls is an easy 1/2 mile loop near the trail head. Lunch Creek is a 9.6 mile round trip over more difficult terrain going into the forest.
I uploaded a photo of a map showing both routes. All of Lunch Falls is inside the purple circle. I marked Lunch Creek with red dashes, the end with a red X. The second photo is a close-up of the Lunch Falls loop.

@Ninja Bunny Thanks for your post w maps. Very helpful. And your comment.
Very possibly the reason for Mom's confusion.

 

[Gibbo214]

I’m thinking she may have mistaken Lunch Creek for Lunch Falls. Lunch Falls is an easy 1/2 mile loop near the trail head. Lunch Creek is a 9.6 mile round trip over more difficult terrain going into the forest.

I uploaded a photo of a map showing both routes. All of Lunch Falls is inside the purple circle. I marked Lunch Creek with red dashes, the end with a red X. The second photo is a close-up of the Lunch Falls loop.

Could the five year old read?

 

[Ninja Bunny]

2 Different Trails?

Yup, two different trails with similar names located close to each other leading to two different waterfalls in heavily forested country. Snow on the ground can wipe out a trail and make it look completely alien.

Photos of Lunch Creek Trail

Photos of Lunch Falls Trail

 

[Catmommy]

Why would you bring a tarp but not a picnic, water or snacks for a five year old? Why? If there is a logical answer for this question please share it with me. I'm having a hard time here.

 

[Tealgrove]

Why, if the snow was getting deep, wouldn't you just turn around and go back?

???????

 

[Ninja Bunny]

Why, if the snow was getting deep, wouldn't you just turn around and go back?

???????

If she thought she was on the loop, she may have thought the end of the trail and the parking lot with her car was just a little farther ahead.

 

[Catmommy]

This wasn't a bad decision, this was a fatal decision, made by the one whose only job was to protect the other. "Oops, my baby gave me bad trail information" just doesn't get it. Do I sound brutal? That baby had a brutal death. All alone. Part my opinion and part fact.

 

[MsMarple]

This wasn't a bad decision, this was a fatal decision, made by the one whose only job was to protect the other. "Oops, my baby gave me bad trail information" just doesn't get it. Do I sound brutal? That baby had a brutal death. All alone. Part my opinion and part fact.

ITA and IMO the mother made a series of fatal decisions. In the article mother describes them going to see a waterfall, then when they arrived the plans changed to walk an unknown trail instead - one that she said she couldn't find "an information board" about. She had a tarp with her that would have made a "sled" to slide Jaxson across the snow but instead she used her coat? She brought no food and possibly no water either.

It's frustrating because for now it appears that Jaxson's mother simply didn't plan properly. There's online information including a PDF of the trail she planned to hike that's easily found through Google. That one step may have avoided Jaxson's death. MOO.

 

[Subiechik21]

Today would have been Jaxson's 6th birthday. Happy birthday sweet boy & may you get your justice one day.

 

[NWSalmonBerry]

I suppose it’s standard to hike in snow- but not waist-deep snow. I’ve done that & it’s brutally tough. I think they’re more likely to run into a moose there than a C19 virus cell. And I think the moose is prob more dangerous. Not to diminish seriousness of this pandemic either. Jmo

We don’t have moose here on the island

 

[NWSalmonBerry]

Yes it appears that she didn’t have any means of communication. Otherwise,she wouldn’t have had to leave her son behind and then lay there waiting to be discovered by the next random hiker after she broke her ankle.

The only reason I can think of to leave the phone behind would be if she didn’t want anyone to know where she went.

OK two reasons. If someone chased her out of the house or out of her vehicle and she ran off in a hurry I can say yes, she might not have a phone with her.

I have left the house without my phone on occasion. I always realized very quickly that it was gone and went right back for it.

There is no cell service up the mountain. It’s very remote.