Found Deceased CA - Paul Miller, 51, Canadian missing in Joshua Tree National Park, San Bernardino Co., 13 Jul 2018

[rosesfromangels]

I guess I just assumed the Marines @ 29 Palms were brought in. Odd that they were not.

They sure did a great job finding Erin Corwin against all odds. If anyone could find Paul at Joshua Tree, it would be the Marines.

 

[jash]

They sure did a great job finding Erin Corwin against all odds. If anyone could find Paul at Joshua Tree, it would be the Marines.

I thought Erin was found by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Cave and Technical Rescue Team.

Are there any mines within walking distance of the trail?

 

[tarabull]

This video was posted earlier today. Paul's wife speaks in it.

Family anxious about Guelph, Ont. man missing in California | Watch News Videos Online

Family/friends are upset upon learning that apparently the NPS could have asked the nearby military base for help. Paul's friend says "The park not only did not ask, they refused to believe that they should ask."

Searching will resume this weekend.

That video doesn't make me feel any better Jash! But I thank you for posting it.

I didn't know Paul & his wife had been there @ JT hiking already and Paul returned before they were to leave.

What's everyone thinking after WATCHING the video??? I AM curious.

There must be a reason LE didn't call in the military...…..

:thinking:

 

[rosesfromangels]

I thought Erin was found by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Cave and Technical Rescue Team.

Are there any mines within walking distance of the trail?

I just reread the article and you are right. I swore it was the marines that found her, but apparently I am wrong. I don’t know how far the mines are from the park.

 

[j_in_c]

Does anyone have an example of the marine base helping out in any SAR operations in JTNP? The Orbeso search was more high profile and a larger operation and I don’t recall any military assistance. I believe it was the dedication of the dad and his gathering volunteer assistants that led to closure in that case.

My heart goes out to his family, but I don’t think there is/was any negligence on the part of the park service. All searches have to balance the safety of those out looking with the safety of the person missing. Once enough time passed that a recovery was more likely then a rescue, the priorities change.

 

[SuziQ]

Btw. 29 palms was my son's base for 4 1/2 years. Can you imagine training in that heat?

 

[SuziQ]

Does anyone have an example of the marine base helping out in any SAR operations in JTNP? The Orbeso search was more high profile and a larger operation and I don’t recall any military assistance. I believe it was the dedication of the dad and his gathering volunteer assistants that led to closure in that case.

My heart goes out to his family, but I don’t think there is/was any negligence on the part of the park service. All searches have to balance the safety of those out looking with the safety of the person missing. Once enough time passed that a recovery was more likely then a rescue, the priorities change.

My son was not involved in any searches. But he had talked about the Marines deploying for local searches. Seems it happens alot. Said people are crazy for hiking there in the heat. Him and his boys could barely handle it and the heat is what the train for.

 

[SuziQ]

...

 

[carbuff]

That video is extremely disturbing.

 

[meanmaryjean]

That video is extremely disturbing.

Agreed- but maybe not for the same reason you think. What did you find disturbing?

 

[carbuff]

Agreed- but maybe not for the same reason you think. What did you find disturbing?

Just the whole tone of it--poor Paul.

 

[Satchie]

Does anyone have an example of the marine base helping out in any SAR operations in JTNP? The Orbeso search was more high profile and a larger operation and I don’t recall any military assistance. I believe it was the dedication of the dad and his gathering volunteer assistants that led to closure in that case.

My heart goes out to his family, but I don’t think there is/was any negligence on the part of the park service. All searches have to balance the safety of those out looking with the safety of the person missing. Once enough time passed that a recovery was more likely then a rescue, the priorities change.

Not just JTNP, I've never heard of the military being called out to try to find a missing adult hiker anywhere, US or Canada. And why on earth would the FBI be searching for a missing hiker? It's not even a local police issue.

I think the video is disturbing because the news media, in this case Global News out of Canada, deliberately made it that way. They are trying to stir up viewers and keep them glued to the screen, "OMG it's all the fault of those incompetent park officials!"

Rather than make a thoughtful documentary video about how hiking in wild places is definitely at your own risk.

 

[bluesneakers]

Not just JTNP, I've never heard of the military being called out to try to find a missing adult hiker anywhere, US or Canada. And why on earth would the FBI be searching for a missing hiker? It's not even a local police issue.

I think the video is disturbing because the news media, in this case Global News out of Canada, deliberately made it that way. They are trying to stir up viewers and keep them glued to the screen, "OMG it's all the fault of those incompetent park officials!"

Rather than make a thoughtful documentary video about how hiking in wild places is definitely at your own risk.

Where did the family get the idea JTNP could have called the USMC but refused? It's reported and then just left hanging there.

 

[carbuff]

I think what happens is the commanding officers ask for volunteers to help search. At least that's what they did here with a canoeist lost in the river near the base a few months ago. But since the area where Paul was is relatively small, LE might have felt they had adequate manpower for the search.

 

[bluesneakers]

I think what happens is the commanding officers ask for volunteers to help search. At least that's what they did here with a canoeist lost in the river near the base a few months ago. But since the area where Paul was is relatively small, LE might have felt they had adequate manpower for the search.

I think you're right, but a few (or however many) more volunteers is hardly the same as calling in the Marines. The interview makes it sound like JTNP could and should have called in the USMC. Based on what? They say JTNP refused to ask for help. That's strong language. Where is this information coming from?

 

[carbuff]

I think you're right, but a few (or however many) more volunteers is hardly the same as calling in the Marines. The interview makes it sound like JTNP could and should have called in the USMC. Based on what? They say JTNP refused to ask for help. That's strong language. Where is this information coming from?

Good question.

 

[tarabull]

Just reviewing search details...I had forgotten the trip to CA was in celebration of their 26th anniversary...fwiw

Snipped from the link below...
...Paul, 51, went for a hike in Joshua Tree National Park on July 13, taking one last quick hike on a trail before he and wife Stephanie headed home from their vacation, a celebration of their 26th wedding anniversary.

He never returned and searchers have found no trace of him to date.

…Search efforts, which at one time involved over 100 people, ATVs, canine teams and two helicopters, have been scaled back due to a heat wave that hit the area that made it unsafe for searchers.

“We totally understand that. We all know Paul wouldn’t want anyone else put in danger,” said Otten, who has been the unofficial media spokesperson for the family during the ordeal.

Friends set up GoFundMe page for missing Guelph man's family - GuelphToday.com

 

[Satchie]

I think what happens is the commanding officers ask for volunteers to help search. At least that's what they did here with a canoeist lost in the river near the base a few months ago. But since the area where Paul was is relatively small, LE might have felt they had adequate manpower for the search.

Also, they were likely only using personnel trained specifically for wilderness search & rescue: they had people from Death Valley, Mohave and other similiar landscapes. Search for Canadian hiker missing at Joshua Tree National Park scaled back

 

[Satchie]

I think you're right, but a few (or however many) more volunteers is hardly the same as calling in the Marines. The interview makes it sound like JTNP could and should have called in the USMC. Based on what? They say JTNP refused to ask for help. That's strong language. Where is this information coming from?

My guess would be the reporter /producer, who are invisible behind the camera. I don't underestimate what local stations will do to get something exciting for the local news hour, after all, they're competing with CNN.

 

[bluesneakers]

My guess would be the reporter /producer, who are invisible behind the camera. I don't underestimate what local stations will do to get something exciting for the local news hour, after all, they're competing with CNN.

Global News is national news. When you watch the video you can see "Global National" in the upper left corner of the screen.

I don't believe Sean O’Shea or anyone from Global would have told Paul's family JTNP refused to call in the Marines just to get their reaction.