Found Deceased CA - Paul Miller, 51, Canadian, Joshua Tree Natl Park, San Bernardino Co., 13 Jul 2018 #3

[dspdenver]

Canadian hiker's family awaits identification of remains found in Joshua Tree National Park

From that article:
[The Miller family was told early on that it could take a couple of weeks to positively identify the remains because of low staffing over the Christmas holidays, Miller’s sister, Dawne Robinson, said.

“Apparently, there has to be someone from the park, the sheriff’s department and the coroner’s office present for the identification,” Robinson said]

 

[musicaljoke]

From that article:

“Apparently, there has to be someone from the park, the sheriff’s department and the coroner’s office present for the identification,” Robinson said]

Oh seriously! The coroner isn't good enough?

 

[zecats]

Not quite official, but sounds promising from family that Paul has at last been found.

Find Paul Miller

UPDATE - January 9th, 2020

Official identification of the remains found in Joshua Tree National Park near the 49 Palms Oasis Trail have not been made, but Paul's family is expecting confirmation to come within the coming days.

The unofficial details we have received from California to date lead us to believe that the remains are those of Paul Miller.

Paul's wife and son, Stephanie & Dryden, along with four close friends of Paul's will be travelling to Twentynine Palms, California next week.

We expect to have details regarding a memorial and celebration of Paul's life available upon return from California.
Event information will be posted to the page once finalized.

It is asked that everyone respect the family's privacy at this time. We will provide details on how to send any words of support, love and condolences in the near future.

Please keep Paul's loved ones in your thoughts/prayers as they traverse the difficult end to the journey to bring Paul home.

 

[Timekeeper65]

@zecats THANK YOU

 

[rosesfromangels]

Oh seriously! The coroner isn't good enough?

Look at the WS thread for Scott Cushnie in Ontario, Canada, and it will reinforce why this is wise.
(Spoiler: they mistook him for someone else, and that family had a funeral for their supposed loved one. Scott had to be dug back up, and well...you can read the thread to see how this happened )

amateur opinion and speculation

 

[zecats]

More details about the folks and company who found Paul.

Utah drone searchers may have solved missing hiker’s disappearance at California national park

 

[GraceG]

Oh seriously! The coroner isn't good enough?

If there is any dispute as to cause or manner of death on federal lands, there is always a team so you have multiple witnesses to the findings.

 

[jash]

Not quite official, but sounds promising from family that Paul has at last been found.

Find Paul Miller

UPDATE - January 9th, 2020

Official identification of the remains found in Joshua Tree National Park near the 49 Palms Oasis Trail have not been made, but Paul's family is expecting confirmation to come within the coming days.

The unofficial details we have received from California to date lead us to believe that the remains are those of Paul Miller.

Paul's wife and son, Stephanie & Dryden, along with four close friends of Paul's will be travelling to Twentynine Palms, California next week.

We expect to have details regarding a memorial and celebration of Paul's life available upon return from California.
Event information will be posted to the page once finalized.

It is asked that everyone respect the family's privacy at this time. We will provide details on how to send any words of support, love and condolences in the near future.

Please keep Paul's loved ones in your thoughts/prayers as they traverse the difficult end to the journey to bring Paul home.

The post includes some great pics of Paul. Find Paul Miller

 

[dalsglen]

Look at the WS thread for Scott Cushnie in Ontario, Canada, and it will reinforce why this is wise.
(Spoiler: they mistook him for someone else, and that family had a funeral for their supposed loved one. Scott had to be dug back up, and well...you can read the thread to see how this happened )

amateur opinion and speculation

Oh I forgot about him, sadly. His friends and family were so lovely, his character was so lovingly shared through them and no doubt made everyone smile.

I'm so glad Pauls family can get closure. I look at photos of these areas and just don't understand how people can't be found, but I don't have a real feel for the terrain.

 

[musicaljoke]

If there is any dispute as to cause or manner of death on federal lands, there is always a team so you have multiple witnesses to the findings.

Awh, I see. That's why they need "someone from the park". Heh!

 

[jash]

I hope the camera is one of the "personal belongings" found. I think it would be wonderful for the family to have photos taken by Paul that day, as I'm sure he was enjoying himself. Who knows, he may have even snapped some of the elusive bighorn sheep!

 

[Detectivediva]

I am really wondering what happened. I read the families statement on the official Find Paul fb page. They promised to release details when they could but said something along the lines of that they may never really know and may only have theories. I'm thinking that this statement makes it unlikely that he slipped and fell (as the ground gave out). I think if that was possible (due to where he was found), their statement wouldn't have been so evasive. I'm leaning towards medical condition (but the body is too decomposed to make a conclusive determination) or self harm.

 

[zecats]

Find Paul Miller

We will share what we know once we have all of the information - we may never have more than theories.
We know many volunteers spent many hours searching with the best of intentions. It is my hope that this can provide some new experience and knowledge to help the next person and their family.
At present, our objective is getting Paul home and grieving.
Thank you.

 

[zecats]

Once drones became involved, things moved quickly it seems.
More from Facebook page admin:

Find Paul Miller


“The drones weren't able to be used until November 2019 and then it was left to volunteers and family/friends to look over the photos they took and spot any potential items.
The group, Western States Aerial Search did an amazing job and we can never thank them enough <3 Wings of Mercy was also a huge part in making this happen and we are in debt to the volunteers of this group as well (https://www.wingsofmercy.ca/)
After 16 months without answers they did their search and had results in a month. It is absolutely amazing.”

 

[carbuff]

It's official: Find Paul Miller on Twitter

"Official identification of the remains found in
@JoshuaTreeNPS
near the 49 Palms Oasis Trail have been made. The coroner's office was in contact with Paul's wife today to let her know that as we suspected, they have confirmed the remains are Paul."

 

[muggles63]

RIP Paul.
so glad they found you, condolences to his family and friends

 

[Yvettea]

For his family and friends I feel immense relief. May this help them lay him to rest.

A huge thank you to all those who searched for him. You performed a very special task.

 

[Yvettea]

Rest In Peace, Paul.

 

[crhedBngr]

RIP, Paul.

I'm so sorry your vacation ended this way for you. At least, your Family and Friends have found you. May they be comforted by their memories of you.

 

[Elainera]

RIP Paul!