CA CA - Sydney “Syd” West, 19, University of CA student, San Francisco, 30 Sept 2020

[scriabina]

I found another deleted post from this UserID posted 3 months ago asking about a political science course that the user was registered for that met once a week (probably remotely) once a week every Wednesday from 12-2 PM JUNIOR SEMINAR: Elections Around the World | Courses | UC Berkeley Political Science Then the post was deleted.

Interesting. I wonder why a person would go out of their way to delete an innocuous post like that?

I do agree with you that the writing style of this mystery UserID looks pretty similar to the posts of insyderator, and they do both use similar sorts of abbreviations.

I wonder if reaching out to that poster would be appropriate and if so what would be the best approach.

 

[crhedBngr]

Is nobody considering any foul play whatsoever? It kinda scares me thinking that someone could have possibly taken her but yet we’re convinced she ran away or self harmed, ya know?
jmo

I am, too. Obviously, it's not the only option to be considered.

JMVHO.

 

[turanna25]

Is nobody considering any foul play whatsoever? It kinda scares me thinking that someone could have possibly taken her but yet we’re convinced she ran away or self harmed, ya know?
jmo

I'm definitely considering other options besides self harm or runaway. From what little we know, I'm concerned she was walking alone so early in the morning.

 

[siliconda]

I found another deleted post from this UserID posted 3 months ago asking about a political science course that the user was registered for that met once a week (probably remotely) once a week every Wednesday from 12-2 PM JUNIOR SEMINAR: Elections Around the World | Courses | UC Berkeley Political Science Then the post was deleted.

I think this lists all posts/comments authored by that user (deleted or not):
https://api.pushshift.io/reddit/search/comment/?author=xusernxme
https://api.pushshift.io/reddit/search/submission/?author=xusernxme
# you can replace the author with any username. based on a quick look at insyderator she doesn't seem to have deleted anything.
It looks like they were debating btwn Cal and UCLA and referenced their local school as a feeder school for UCLA but Syd was btwn Cal/UMass. Similarities tho they both were learning to code and might've been into debate. Both had depression supposedly (and xusernxme seemed to have insomnia) although we haven't heard anything about losses in Sydney's family I believe.

 

[ElizabethAnne]

I think this lists all posts/comments authored by that user (deleted or not):
https://api.pushshift.io/reddit/search/comment/?author=xusernxme
https://api.pushshift.io/reddit/search/submission/?author=xusernxme
# you can replace the author with any username. based on a quick look at insyderator she doesn't seem to have deleted anything.
It looks like they were debating btwn Cal and UCLA and referenced their local school as a feeder school for UCLA but Syd was btwn Cal/UMass. Similarities tho they both were learning to code and might've been into debate. Both had depression supposedly (and xusernxme seemed to have insomnia) although we haven't heard anything about losses in Sydney's family I believe.

I think that the insyderator account under debate.org is Sydney where she has one post regarding elections/political parties. insyderator | Debate.org Based on Search results for 660753 | Debate.org it would not surprise me if she was interested in Political Science classes. There was a recent loss of a family member in Myrtle Beach SC at the end of 2019.

 

[distracted]

Is nobody considering any foul play whatsoever? It kinda scares me thinking that someone could have possibly taken her but yet we’re convinced she ran away or self harmed, ya know?
jmo

I am, especially because she and her sister are close. Although I know that people who are depressed, often think irrationally.

And that brings me to the conclusion that her parents believe she succumbed to her depression. It would explain a lot about how little information has been released, the use of the past tense, and the lack of boots on the ground. I can see why they would make a plea for her to come home, though, if there's even a little chance that she might still be alive.

The SFPD are most likely following the parents' lead, and simply following the protocol of a missing person's case, while also thinking that she took her own life.

In Alex Holden's case, IMO the searches were carried out due to the persistence of his friends. In fact, he was found because of one of those searches. Unfortunately, Syd hadn't been in the area long enough to form a close group who would do the same.

 

[SouthAussie]

I just started reading a book called The Boy Between: A Mother and Son's Journey From a World Gone Grey.
(It is a kindle October-first-reads offering and has very high ratings, not a typical kind of reading choice for me.)

It is written by author Amanda Prowse and by her son Josh - Josh suffers from depression - and Amanda feels like she is constantly trying to keep him alive.

The book opened with a prologue by Josh, laying on his bed in his college apartment, deciding to finally give up and leave the world. Evidently he did not do that, and is living home with his parents again. He describes himself as just feeling numb. Numb to everything. Not consciously considering his older sibling, his parents. Just numb and living in a world of grey. Unable to leave the island of his bed.

Since writing the book, Amanda said she has received so many emails from other parents. "He/she finally seemed so content and happy, then s/he left the world" being the general vein. Once the decision is made, they are finally at peace and content.

A very sad situation because the loved ones are not alerted of what could be coming.

 

[distracted]

I just started reading a book called The Boy Between: A Mother and Son's Journey From a World Gone Grey.
(It is a kindle October-first-reads offering and has very high ratings, not a typical kind of reading choice for me.)

It is written by author Amanda Prowse and by her son Josh - Josh suffers from depression - and Amanda feels like she is constantly trying to keep him alive.

The book opened with a prologue by Josh, laying on his bed in his college apartment, deciding to finally give up and leave the world. Evidently he did not do that, and is living home with his parents again. He describes himself as just feeling numb. Numb to everything. Not consciously considering his older sibling, his parents. Just numb and living in a world of grey. Unable to leave the island of his bed.

Since writing the book, Amanda said she has received so many emails from other parents. "He/she finally seemed so content and happy, then s/he left the world" being the general vein. Once the decision is made, they are finally at peace and content.

A very sad situation because the loved ones are not alerted of what could be coming.

I know someone whose 15-year-old took his life following a great session with his therapist and a great week with his family. It made it all the more confusing for everyone. I think they let their guard down, too, because they thought he was making progress. But, as you say, it was just that he was finally at peace with his decision. It's heartbreaking.

That said, his parents and his siblings are now doing everything they can to raise awareness in the hope they can provide answers they didn't have to parents of children living with depression.

 

[SteveP]

I am, especially because she and her sister are close. Although I know that people who are depressed, often think irrationally.

And that brings me to the conclusion that her parents believe she succumbed to her depression. It would explain a lot about how little information has been released, the use of the past tense, and the lack of boots on the ground. I can see why they would make a plea for her to come home, though, if there's even a little chance that she might still be alive.

The SFPD are most likely following the parents' lead, and simply following the protocol of a missing person's case, while also thinking that she took her own life.

In Alex Holden's case, IMO the searches were carried out due to the persistence of his friends. In fact, he was found because of one of those searches. Unfortunately, Syd hadn't been in the area long enough to form a close group who would do the same.

This is exactly what I feel, but was afraid it would come across as too insensitive if I said it. You expressed it much better than I could have. I believe that she may have succumbed to her depression as well, but pray for her family, that she is found, whether deceased or alive, so they do not have to continue to wonder.

 

[Laughing]

I know someone whose 15-year-old took his life following a great session with his therapist and a great week with his family. It made it all the more confusing for everyone. I think they let their guard down, too, because they thought he was making progress. But, as you say, it was just that he was finally at peace with his decision. It's heartbreaking.

That said, his parents and his siblings are now doing everything they can to raise awareness in the hope they can provide answers they didn't have to parents of children living with depression.

Keep in mind that any action requires energy. That energy -- ability to leave the island of the bed -- can sadly be used to self-harm.

(Not adding a link, but was taught this as a Psych major many moons ago.)

JMeducatedO YMMV LRR

 

[anneg]

I am, especially because she and her sister are close. Although I know that people who are depressed, often think irrationally.

And that brings me to the conclusion that her parents believe she succumbed to her depression. It would explain a lot about how little information has been released, the use of the past tense, and the lack of boots on the ground. I can see why they would make a plea for her to come home, though, if there's even a little chance that she might still be alive.

The SFPD are most likely following the parents' lead, and simply following the protocol of a missing person's case, while also thinking that she took her own life.

In Alex Holden's case, IMO the searches were carried out due to the persistence of his friends. In fact, he was found because of one of those searches. Unfortunately, Syd hadn't been in the area long enough to form a close group who would do the same.

BBM. I agree with your thoughts about her parents believing she succumbed to her depression. Watching them in the video of Thursday's vigil, I felt great grief from them. So heartbreaking.

 

[anneg]

This is exactly what I feel, but was afraid it would come across as too insensitive if I said it. You expressed it much better than I could have. I believe that she may have succumbed to her depression as well, but pray for her family, that she is found, whether deceased or alive, so they do not have to continue to wonder.

Thank you for this message. I pray for the same for her family.

 

[Curious_in_NC]

An interesting article was just published in The Atlantic about niche sports and the fierce competition to get into Ivy League schools. I'm not suggesting Sydney and her family are anything at all like those interviewed for this article, and Carrboro is a long way from Fairfield County, Connecticut. But it gives an idea of how college admissions work today, their relation to sports such as rowing, and the types of student-athletes Sydney was competing with for getting into college.

The Mad, Mad World of Niche Sports Among Ivy League–Obsessed Parents

Some statistics: "Harvard, which typically admits approximately 5 percent of its applicants, reports acceptance rates as high as 88 percent for athletes endorsed by its coaches." "Of Princeton’s 5,300 undergraduates, approximately 930—or 17.5 percent—are recruited players"

Also, from one of the linked articles I learned that the US Olympic rowing team's training center is in Oakland, not far from Cal. They may even share facilities.

 

[ElizabethAnne]

For an edge in Ivy League admissions, grab an oar and row is a reprint of an original Washington Post story from last year called
"For an edge in Ivy League admissions, grab an oar and row"
It indicates that universities particularly use Women's Rowing to balance out numbers of athletes in men's sports in order to meet Title IX requirements.

 

[Birdie1212]

I'm definitely considering other options besides self harm or runaway. From what little we know, I'm concerned she was walking alone so early in the morning.

This is my concern as well. She was presumably alone, after midnight, wandering in, near or toward Chrissy Field or the bridge. Not great for a young woman.

 

[10ofRods]

This is my concern as well. She was presumably alone, after midnight, wandering in, near or toward Chrissy Field or the bridge. Not great for a young woman.

I thought it was at daybreak - around 5:30 am. If she was in fact missing earlier than that (wandering around solo in SF), are they going on cell phone pings that lead to Crissy Field, instead of a sighting?

I'm guessing it's a ping - but that her location must be known/normal before 5:30 am. If she was in fact on the streets all night, she had made it to a nicer part of SF (Crissy Field) just at daybreak.

 

[insearchoflight]

This is my concern as well. She was presumably alone, after midnight, wandering in, near or toward Chrissy Field or the bridge. Not great for a young woman.

Really makes you wonder what she was even doing up at that time and in that area? Was she with other people partying? Was she alone and depressed and wandering? Was she meeting up with someone? Did she go there to self harm? Lots of possibilities unfortunately.

 

[Kaligirl]

I am dumbfounded that this young woman hasn't been found. Her social media seems fairly normal for her age and she was actively seeking out ways to cope, exercise, mindfulness, yoga, etc. I can't believe she simply walked away -- she seems way too sensitive not to at least reach out and let her family know she is ok. If she self-harmed, wouldn't she have been found or wouldn't there be video evidence? There are cameras that tape 24/7 on both entrance sides of the bridge?

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Where is the information on approximate times and her locations coming from? So what is the approximate timeline?

I am thinking the same as the poster above me. She hasn't been found, so let's not give up.

 

[SouthAussie]

Where is the information on approximate times and her locations coming from? So what is the approximate timeline?

I am thinking the same as the poster above me. She hasn't been found, so let's not give up.

As I stated before, her mum said in her video that Syd was last seen or heard from during the early morning of September 30th ... before sunrise.

Sunrise that morning was at 7:04am.

Sunrise and sunset times in San Francisco, September 2020

That's all we've got. What time before sunrise ... who knows? But the fact that sunrise was mentioned could indicate that it was not that long before sunrise. Otherwise "just after midnight" or "the middle of the night" might have been a used description.

For all we know, Syd could have gone jogging/walking at 6am, as some people do. Before a job started (we don't know if she had a job) or before other planned daily activities (which we also don't know).

It was a chilly morning, in the 50's, a sweatshirt would have been appropriate for exercise. As would leggings and Vans. Did Syd wear a tank or tshirt under the sweatshirt? That we don't know either. But we do know her hair was up in a bun, also appropriate for exercise.