Found Deceased Chile - Tom Marsh 60, Uk National, University Professor missing from a research trip, 16 September 2022

[5W's]

ID

Well, I truly hope so, but I really doubt it. He would have to have had help.

IDK correct me if I'm wrong but that's what it looks like they are alluding to. Vega talking like that is making me think something like that. Especially some of the directions Vega has stated and the talk of the road. I mean it could be Tom has amnesia and doesn't remember himself or his old life. Very sad but possible. Its also possible the person who is helping him doesn't know anything also. But that seems a far stretch that the person wouldn't know. But if one looks at what Vega is saying it really is quite surprising that he stating what he is stating.

 

[Hexe]

Nothing new on Tom's case. But at least they are still searching. It is confusing though because the difficult terrain could mean of a jungle, desert. What we know is there's desert, there's beachside in Santa Maria so if there's the beach is there also a jungle around? But a jungle would have wild animals in it. LE hasn't said anything about that. So desert and hilly? If he fell off a hill there would be signs of him so I don't think so.

No, no jungle around. It's one of the driest spots on the world so there is only a desert around. And no hills in there, but mountains. Quite high mountains.

 

[Kemug]

Yes, maybe Vega is just a born optimist.

 

[5W's]

European Southern Observatory - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This article has some of the actual telescopes in La Silla. If we know which ones we are looking at then maybe we can get an idea of where Vega said Tom went. "Other evidence was found between 1 and 3.5 kilometers to the south-west of the observatory, which made it possible to project the site of interest and limit the tracking space. Quoted from @TootsieFootsie post #153
We have maps of the site so maybe we can judge which way is south west of the observatory.

 

[5W's]

No, no jungle around. It's one of the driest spots on the world so there is only a desert around. And no hills in there, but mountains. Quite high mountains.

I meant mountains not hills sorry. But they do look like hills. Take a look. You'll have to scroll down a few images to get an idea of the terrain.

https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x9691caf51e5ad7c7%3A0x2d8ca36a6354e263!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOPhWU-N39OT2M873A-NUrlinn_o2pWo-HfMFyT%3Dw213-h160-k-no!5svisitor%20centre%20la%20silla%20chile%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipNDd1PU3ju1vFqF_E5EQNTyaq4QLwWDcL2-RcE9&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjG-be5xIf7AhUUJjQIHZSNDbAQoip6BAhDEAM

 

[5W's]

Yes, maybe Vega is just a born optimist.

No he is hinting that Tom may still be alive. Its based on what they've found as they've been investigating and that's why I believe his family is also coming its not just for the search or recovery effort. The prosecutor Vega saying that is a serious matter he isn't bluffing there is something to his statement.

 

[5W's]

Desaparición de astrónomo Tom Marsh: Fiscalía extiende búsqueda hasta el 15 de noviembre

Hasta el 15 de noviembre se extenderá la búsqueda del astrónomo británico Tom Marsh, desaparecido desde hace 43 días en cercanías del observatorio La Silla. Luego de esto, se evaluará la continuidad de los trabajos de rastreo.

www.biobiochile.cl

This Saturday, the search for British astronomer Tom Marsh , who has been missing for 43 days on the grounds of the La Silla observatory in the commune of La Higuera, in the Coquimbo region, was extended.

According to the newspaper El Día , the regional prosecutor, Adrián Vega, confirmed the extension of the search until next November 15.
After it was reported that there are no indications that the professional is in the observatory, the search was carried out on the ground, finding certain Tom Marsh objects between the hotel and the La Silla telescope, for which it is presumed that he would have carried out a walk along the side of the hill.

Other evidence was found between 1 and 3.5 kilometers to the south-west of the observatory, which made it possible to project the site of interest and limit the tracking space.

Prosecutor Vega added that “the laboratories have confirmed that they belong to Mr. Marsh and, due to their characteristics, we can confirm this. In this context, it is not a blind search nowadays”, published El Día.

I think by the "Observatory" they mean the entire property of La Silla.

 

[dotr]

A community update regarding Professor Tom Marsh

A community update regarding Professor Tom Marsh

warwick.ac.uk

27 October 2022 rbbm.​

“We all truly believe Tom is out there to be found and that they can find him,” Mrs Marsh says, sitting alongside her two children.

Henry continues: “Please help us and them. Perhaps the greatest asset we have is you the people who may have seen him.”

His daughter Tabitha adds: “Please get to know my Daddy’s face, remind yourself of it and look for him wherever you go and please let us know if you see him or have seen him already, because just one person could be enough.”

The subtitled video is targeted at the Chilean public and was released by the team leading the investigation in the country via social media.

They have been working in close collaboration with Warwickshire Police, who filmed the video at the family home earlier this week.

Mrs Marsh, who praised the “amazing” search teams in Chile, also made an emotional direct appeal to her husband in the video: “Wherever you are right now, however hard things are for you, never doubt for one single moment how much we love you and that we are with you every step of the way. We will hang tight forever.

“But if you can, please let us know where you are.”

She described him as a happy family man, who loved his job at Warwick and was ‘delighted’ to be returning to the world-renowned ESO in Chile, where he had worked many times before.

“To us he’s just Tom and Daddy. The person who emailed me to tell me about the spring blossoms in the desert.

“Gentle and kind and truly content at the heart of happy, loving family. And it’s easy to forget that he is behind some of the most ground-breaking science in his field. He is very quiet about his success and honours. What drives him is his endless love for science.

“We’re so proud at the esteem in which the University holds him and so moved by the love and fellowship of his colleagues around the world.”

 

[WiseOwl]

Desaparición de astrónomo Tom Marsh: Fiscalía extiende búsqueda hasta el 15 de noviembre

Hasta el 15 de noviembre se extenderá la búsqueda del astrónomo británico Tom Marsh, desaparecido desde hace 43 días en cercanías del observatorio La Silla. Luego de esto, se evaluará la continuidad de los trabajos de rastreo.

www.biobiochile.cl

This Saturday, the search for British astronomer Tom Marsh , who has been missing for 43 days on the grounds of the La Silla observatory in the commune of La Higuera, in the Coquimbo region, was extended.

According to the newspaper El Día , the regional prosecutor, Adrián Vega, confirmed the extension of the search until next November 15.
After it was reported that there are no indications that the professional is in the observatory, the search was carried out on the ground, finding certain Tom Marsh objects between the hotel and the La Silla telescope, for which it is presumed that he would have carried out a walk along the side of the hill.

Other evidence was found between 1 and 3.5 kilometers to the south-west of the observatory, which made it possible to project the site of interest and limit the tracking space.

Prosecutor Vega added that “the laboratories have confirmed that they belong to Mr. Marsh and, due to their characteristics, we can confirm this. In this context, it is not a blind search nowadays”, published El Día.

Thanks for posting this @TootsieFootsie.

I am thinking that the other evidence found is blood, as it is referred to as other evidence rather than objects (the terminology used for what was found between Tom's accomodation and the Telescope).

Also, Vega said that (in relation to the evidence found to the south-west of the observatory) 'the laboratories have confirmed that they belong to Mr Marsh, due to their characteristics we can confirm this.'

Characteristics is a term often used when examining blood samples, so i am thinking Tom might have fallen during his walk? They sent the samples they found to the lab and they came back matching Tom's blood group?

 

[dotr]

Thanks for posting this @TootsieFootsie.

I am thinking that the other evidence found is blood, as it is referred to as other evidence rather than objects (the terminology used for what was found between Tom's accomodation and the Telescope).

Also, Vega said that (in relation to the evidence found to the south-west of the observatory) 'the laboratories have confirmed that they belong to Mr Marsh, due to their characteristics we can confirm this.'

Characteristics is a term often used when examining blood samples, so i am thinking Tom might have fallen during his walk? They sent the samples they found to the lab and they came back matching Tom's blood group?

Hoping that the identifying evidence found is human waste and not blood.imo.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I am thinking that the other evidence found is blood, as it is referred to as other evidence rather than objects (the terminology used for what was found between Tom's accomodation and the Telescope).

Yes it seems to say it's more than one thing, so it's not just his keys.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Characteristics is a term often used when examining blood samples, so i am thinking Tom might have fallen during his walk? They sent the samples they found to the lab and they came back matching Tom's blood group?

I did wonder about the use of that word.

How could something like an inanimate object have the characteristics of someone.

Apart from blood, could a handwritten note have the characteristics of someone. Ie look like his writing.

 

[WiseOwl]

I did wonder about the use of that word.

How could something like an inanimate object have the characteristics of someone.

Apart from blood, could a handwritten note have the characteristics of someone. Ie look like his writing.

Possibly, but if it was a handwritten note that was found wouldn't they have enlisted the help of a handwriting expert to examine it rather than send it to a laboratory?

The statement said:

Prosecutor Vega added that “the laboratories have confirmed that they belong to Mr. Marsh and, due to their characteristics, we can confirm this. In this context, it is not a blind search nowadays.”

Their characteristics, so whatever it is they found had more than one characteristic belonging to Tom. If not blood samples, what else could it be?

 

[TLobo]

Inspector Vega's statement was released in Spanish and translated into English. I'm not sure we should be overly suspicious of the word "characteristics" when that is the case.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Possibly, but if it was a handwritten note that was found wouldn't they have enlisted the help of a handwriting expert to examine it rather than send it to a laboratory?

Perhaps they were wanting to see if it had Tom's DNA on it, or someone else's.

 

[WingsOverTX]

Finally! Excellent to see these MSM & LE updates plus statements from his family & university. I appreciate everyone who posted the latest updates & each of your comments, as well.

I thought the family visited in early October (see quoted post) but it appears not based on the latest info? RBBM

Please remove this comment if not allowed
I'm from Chile, and I've been reading about Tom's disappearance since day three.
A más de 2 semanas de su desaparición: estudiante que acompañaba a Thomas Marsh abandonó Chile
Diario El Dia (local newspaper mentioned in The Telegraph and The Daily Mail) is reporting the student already left the country.

Although the prosecutor is not yet giving details of where Marsh's assistant is, El Día's sources confirm that he has already left Chile. Vega (Regional prosecutor), however, assures this newspaper that the student is willing to continue giving statements to contribute to the investigation.

"The witness is available for all the proceedings of the investigation, but in relation to his location, I cannot point it out," the prosecutor indicates.

The news report also mentions the search being difficult due to geographical conditions
"Regional prosecutor Adrián Vega points out that disappearances in mountainous areas are difficult to investigate, so all possible means, both human and technological, have been deployed, in relation to the search of the more than 300,000 hectares of the area, a place with ravines and caves that makes the work more complex."

To finish, Marsh's family is expected to be arriving to Chile ASAP to help on the search
"[...]Marsh's family is expected to arrive in the region during the next few days or hours, in order to accompany the search process."

Perhaps the possibility of LE searches being ceased soon is the motivator for the family traveling there now?

I find the push to be quite late for a person who went missing September 16 in such formidable terrain.

It was good to read confirmation that they feel sure he is not anywhere on the grounds of the facility. I am impressed by the diligence shown by local LE.

There are several telescopes at La Silla (6 according to Wikipedia). I would really like to see a map of where they found evidence and making clear which telescope he was using.

This well-loved family man and respected academic astronomer is sadly most likely dead. I sure hope they can find him. But that desert is formidable.

One other thing of note is that British police are accompanying the family. I am curious if the PhD student who went to La Silla with Tom, raised the alarm about his disappearance & has returned to England is on their radar or helping in some way.

Leaving the door open to all possibilities, including foul play, is important until it is publicly ruled out.

I don't wish to be a gloom & doomer but the hope in this post seems like too little, too late to me. Not sure why this sort of statement was not released in week 2 instead of now. Perhaps LE pressed the family to wait?

A community update regarding Professor Tom Marsh

A community update regarding Professor Tom Marsh

warwick.ac.uk

27 October 2022 rbbm.​

View attachment 376661
“We all truly believe Tom is out there to be found and that they can find him,” Mrs Marsh says, sitting alongside her two children.

Henry continues: “Please help us and them. Perhaps the greatest asset we have is you the people who may have seen him.”

His daughter Tabitha adds: “Please get to know my Daddy’s face, remind yourself of it and look for him wherever you go and please let us know if you see him or have seen him already, because just one person could be enough.”

The subtitled video is targeted at the Chilean public and was released by the team leading the investigation in the country via social media.

They have been working in close collaboration with Warwickshire Police, who filmed the video at the family home earlier this week.

Mrs Marsh, who praised the “amazing” search teams in Chile, also made an emotional direct appeal to her husband in the video: “Wherever you are right now, however hard things are for you, never doubt for one single moment how much we love you and that we are with you every step of the way. We will hang tight forever.

“But if you can, please let us know where you are.”

She described him as a happy family man, who loved his job at Warwick and was ‘delighted’ to be returning to the world-renowned ESO in Chile, where he had worked many times before.

“To us he’s just Tom and Daddy. The person who emailed me to tell me about the spring blossoms in the desert.

“Gentle and kind and truly content at the heart of happy, loving family. And it’s easy to forget that he is behind some of the most ground-breaking science in his field. He is very quiet about his success and honours. What drives him is his endless love for science.

“We’re so proud at the esteem in which the University holds him and so moved by the love and fellowship of his colleagues around the world.”

I look forward to a new update saying Tom has been found & hope it comes very soon.

My opinions only.

 

[Snoopster]

So they have a 'direction' pointing to possible areas of interest. Looking just over 3.5km SW of the observatory the only interesting (i.e. sligtly different) terrain seems to be a river valley or canyon. Is it possible he could have been following a river/wash if he became disoriented?
Here is a screenshot of the area I am talking about. There is a canyon and trails or small roads on the side of the hills above it.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Here is a screenshot of the area I am talking about. There is a canyon and trails or small roads on the side of the hills above it.

Wow it doesn't look like a place to be wandering around in, especially after dark

 

[WingsOverTX]

Wow it doesn't look like a place to be wandering around in, especially after dark

That cannot be overstated! If he ventured into that desert & they believe he did, the why needs a convincing explanation. I hope we get one.

 

[WiseOwl]

Are the police travelling to Chile because they think a crime has been committed? Do they normally go abroad to trace missing people? I know that they do if they think something criminal has occurred (such as Madeleine McCann & the British family in the Alps), but if it's thought Tom has gone missing voluntarily or had an unfortunate accident then why would they accompany the family to the site?

Does anyone know the uk police's protocol for this?