James Kim Found Dead

[CornMonkey]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/06/missing.family/index.html


MERLIN, Oregon (CNN) -- The body of a San Francisco man who had walked into the Oregon wilderness to summon help for his stranded family was found Wednesday in a steep ravine where he had left clues for searchers.

Officials confirmed that James Kim, 35, an editor at the Web site CNET, had been found dead.

Brian Anderson, Undersheriff of Josephine County, broke down and could not finish speaking as he announced that Kim's body was found at 3:03 p.m. ET.

Searchers were attempting to remove Kim's body, and his family members have requested that their privacy be respected, officials said.

Kim walked into the snowy Oregon mountains Saturday to find help for his wife and two young daughters. They were rescued by searchers on Monday.

Clothing and bits of an Oregon map turned up Tuesday in a steep canyon that drains into the Rogue River. Searchers said they believed he was marking his trail for them.

The clothing, which was wet, included two gray sweat shirts, a red T-shirt, a sock and a blue girl's skirt, said Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Patrol. Family members said Kim carried the items when he left.

"They were laid out in a well defined area, in a pattern," Hastings said. The pattern led officers to believe that "little signs are being left by James."

....
anyone else taking this a little hard? i was so hoping that he would be found alive. he went out as a hero in my book. my heart goes out to his family.

[DarkFury]

Honestly, I don't understand why he would leave his family to try to get help? Especially if he went up into the wilderness instead of going back to the road where they came from (and got stranded). :shrug:

Pretty much I'd think you would be better off staying together as a group instead of wandering out alone (as long as nobody was injured or whatnot.)

[mcs328]

I just found out too...I'm taking a bit hard also. Ugh...I hate the CNN sponsored ads that are on the same page. They infuriate me especially the one with the little girl that asks what happens to her and mommy if he dies. Like WTF...ugh...leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[jaja]

Just saw the news from CNN. So sad.

[KIISQueen]

I was hoping they find him, what a tragedy, my prayers go out to the Family

[Dazzling]

Wow - one never knows what they will do in that situation. With his kids and his wife in that car I'm sure he was worried about the kids freezing or never being found. Regardless, he thought what he was doing was the best thing for his family and unfortunately the outcome was grim.

[YellowCoffee]

Honestly, I don't understand why he would leave his family to try to get help? Especially if he went up into the wilderness instead of going back to the road where they came from (and got stranded). :shrug:

Pretty much I'd think you would be better off staying together as a group instead of wandering out alone (as long as nobody was injured or whatnot.)

He did not leave his family immediately. There was a good amount of time that elapsed before he made his decision to. I figure he felt like he had to take action before his family froze to death. You have to also realize with 2 young ones (one being 7 months), time was crucial.

This is a very sad story. He was obviously smart about leaving the clues. It was just unfortunate. He definitely was a hero in my book.

[Dazzling]

He did not leave his family immediately. There was a good amount of time that elapsed before he made his decision to. I figure he felt like he had to take action before his family froze to death. You have to also realize with 2 young ones (one being 7 months), time was crucial.

This is a very sad story. He was obviously smart about leaving the clues. It was just unfortunate. He definitely was a hero in my book.

Very True!!

[KIISQueen]

[QUOTE=This is a very sad story. He was obviously smart about leaving the clues. It was just unfortunate. He definitely was a hero in my book.[/QUOTE]

:agree:

They might make a movie out of this.

[CornMonkey]

:agree:

They might make a movie out of this.
while this was a tragic ending to a dramatic ordeal, making a movie out of this would just be sensationalizing it. i surely hope hollywood stays away from this.

[Devhux]

Condolences go out to his family -- he did what he thought was right in trying to save his family, and for that he is a true hero.

Yes it definately is hard to take -- I do read CNet daily, and had definately hoped he would be found alive.

[chrissy]

I had hoped for a different outcome on this.

[MrGreg]

This sucks, and I know he was trying to save his family, and I don't in any way blame them...

but this is exactly why I keep emergency supplies in my car. It wouldn't be much fun, but I could live for at least 2 weeks out of my car. (not sure if I could manage an infant, though)

[Sirrich3]

This does Suck...he tried to find help...

[eSDee]

sad.

[ShawnLee]

It's sad. And I think that he did the wrong thing in leaving the car. But I understand his intent, and I think that both he and his wife are heroes for being able to keep their daughters alive and relatively safe for so long. It's obvious they were loved, and while this is a tragedy, I'm thankful it isn't as bad as it could have been.

[BigJon]

I guess I'm out of the loop...I"m totally lost at what has happened.

[mcs328]

There are more detailed links at gizmodo or engadget that I read when it started. More detailed then what you would read at CNN or USA Today. Apparently where they were they don't get signal because of the terrain.

[brainsmile]

sucks a big one

[kgsilvas]

It hit me really hard too, I was pulling for this guy to be found alive and reunited with his family.

If he'd been the one found first, folks would be calling him a hero for saving his family. It must have been an awfully hard choice, and it sucks that it turned out to be a fatal mistake for him.

[PlayBoyWorld]

I kind of wonder the same thing as DF, though--why head towards the wilderness? Unless he was TOTALLY out of it and didn't know which way he was headed.

Poor guy. I heard about this last night, and my heart went out to the family. I also really, really hoped he'd be found. Did I hear correctly--did the mother breast feed her children to keep them alive??

[DarkFury]

He did not leave his family immediately. There was a good amount of time that elapsed before he made his decision to. I figure he felt like he had to take action before his family froze to death. You have to also realize with 2 young ones (one being 7 months), time was crucial.

This is a very sad story. He was obviously smart about leaving the clues. It was just unfortunate. He definitely was a hero in my book.
Oh ok... I really haven't kept up on the news on this.

Question though... did the "rescuers" find the family based on clues he left... or did they find the family first and then went looking for him?

More or less, I kinda feel that when you are stranded, there is still some strength in numbers and that we all need to go or we all need to stay... and not separate. But hey... I'm a "city boy" so I highly doubt I'd ever take any trips into the wilderness by my own volition. :D

[YellowCoffee]

Oh ok... I really haven't kept up on the news on this.

Question though... did the "rescuers" find the family based on clues he left... or did they find the family first and then went looking for him?

More or less, I kinda feel that when you are stranded, there is still some strength in numbers and that we all need to go or we all need to stay... and not separate. But hey... I'm a "city boy" so I highly doubt I'd ever take any trips into the wilderness by my own volition. :D

I'm not sure how, but rescuers found his family first. They then located him by the trail he left. Honestly, people can argue that what he did was right or wrong, but he obviously thought it was necessary. He and his family were trapped there for some time and they exhausted most of their resources. They used up all the gas in the car for the heater, burned all the tires for a fire, etc. He must've felt like he had no choice.

He seemed like he was an intelligent enough guy. It was just a misfortune. They said he had traveled a very far distance, which I think shows his determination. My heart goes out to his family. They'll know that they were loved though.

[DarkFury]

BTW...I wasn't really arguing about his decision.

Since it was the first time I'd heard about it, I was just making a comment on it contrary to what I think I would do in a similar situation.

Either way, it is a sad situation for that family.

[YellowCoffee]

BTW...I wasn't really arguing about his decision.

Since it was the first time I'd heard about it, I was just making a comment on it contrary to what I think I would do in a similar situation.

Either way, it is a sad situation for that family.

Yeah, I definitely was not pointing anybody out in particular. I've just read a lot of opinions about what he did was wrong. I think either way it was a tough judgement call, and he did what felt like was necessary

[Memo]

I'm not sure how, but rescuers found his family first.

They tracked them down to a certain area because they tried to make a call using their cell phone. The call didn't go through but a tower registered the signal and so they had a general idea of where they were.

Anyways, I agree that this story is more touching than most of the random missing family/person stories that pop up on the news. The tech community really got into trying to help and you saw stories on Digg.com and all the tech blogs about it. Plus, when they found the mom and children it sort of gave hope that all would end well.

Obviously from an observers point of view, and already knowing the fact that he turned out dead, it seems like he made a mistake to leave on foot searching for help, but after days of unimaginable desperation being stuck out there with your wife and baby girls, I can't really say what I would personally do.

[Mommypooh]

I kind of wonder the same thing as DF, though--why head towards the wilderness? Unless he was TOTALLY out of it and didn't know which way he was headed.

Poor guy. I heard about this last night, and my heart went out to the family. I also really, really hoped he'd be found. Did I hear correctly--did the mother breast feed her children to keep them alive??

Yes the Mother was Breastfeeding both children during this unfortunate event, and the children were not dehydrated and were healthy beacuse of it. They weren't getting enough calories, but they were getting liquids and Antibodies to keep them healthy. I will see if I can dig up the article I read yesterday and post it.

[Mommypooh]

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2701717&page=1

Here is the link i read. It has some good info on the Breastfeeding aspect. It does not say if the 4 year old had already been weaned and was put back to nursing or if she was currently breastfeeding the 4 year old as well.

[PlayBoyWorld]

Wow, how many women do you know who still breastfeed their 4 year olds?? I think it's awesome that the woman would even think of trying to breastfeed her daughters, especially if the younger one had already been weaned. How difficult must that have been, though, to get the milk flowing again??

EDIT: Ahhh, guess I should've read the article first. I didn't realize that the youngest was 7 months old. Wow.

[Prngr44]

It was my understanding too that their family hired the helicopter that eventually found the vehicle.

It's really sad...he had to think it was the only option. I'm sure it's hell just sitting there feeling like you're not doing anything to help the situation. If you're out walking around you feel a LITTLE bit better about yourself.

[mcs328]

I've read most of the articles and the coptor was hired by the family to look for them. The breakthough came when they pinpointed their location going through their phone records and traced it to a tower that sent a text message to their phone when a signal was available for at most a second and was lost again.

[CornMonkey]

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/07/PILOT.TMP
(from digg)

this article tells of a private helicopter pilot that first found kim's footprints that led himt to the car/family. hired helicopter pilots and gov't search crews were apparently looking somewhere else.

[kgsilvas]

Nice tribute to James Kim posted as a link from CNET: http://news.com.com/2009-12-6141617.html

[YellowCoffee]

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/

I can't believe they're doing a report on what James Kim "shouldn't have done". I generally like Anderson Cooper's reporting, but this seems a bit insensitive to me. I'm pretty sure this is not something the family wants to see. If you read the comments on his blogs, most people are supportive, but I don't understand people calling him "an idiot." You can't place negative judgement on his actions just because of the outcome.

All these supposed "experts" on what to do in these harsh situations who are making judgement calls on what he "should've" done makes me feel ill. Yes, he could've done things differently. He could've taken more precautions when going on his trip. He could've not gone on this trip altogether. Given all this, I think it's safe to assume that he did not know he was putting his family in danger. And when danger came, he did everything he could.

People can judge what he did was right or wrong, but there's no place in judging his character. Some of these comments make this situation much more sad than it already is. What a shame

[Memo]

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/

I can't believe they're doing a report on what James Kim "shouldn't have done". I generally like Anderson Cooper's reporting, but this seems a bit insensitive to me. I'm pretty sure this is not something the family wants to see. If you read the comments on his blogs, most people are supportive, but I don't understand people calling him "an idiot." You can't place negative judgement on his actions just because of the outcome.

All these supposed "experts" on what to do in these harsh situations who are making judgement calls on what he "should've" done makes me feel ill. Yes, he could've done things differently. He could've taken more precautions when going on his trip. He could've not gone on this trip altogether. Given all this, I think it's safe to assume that he did not know he was putting his family in danger. And when danger came, he did everything he could.

People can judge what he did was right or wrong, but there's no place in judging his character. Some of these comments make this situation much more sad than it already is. What a shame

If you read the article Anderson Cooper says:

The last thing I want to do is judge James Kim's actions. After all, none of us could ever imagine what must have been going through his mind after being in caught with his family in the Oregon snow, with nothing but wilderness around and seemingly no hope for rescue.

It may seem insensitive, but the truth is most people don't know what to do if stuck in the wilderness. Reporting on something that can be useful and save someones lives is not a bad thing. Imagine if someone had died the week before James Kim left on his road trip and he happened to read the article.

[YellowCoffee]

If you read the article Anderson Cooper says:


It may seem insensitive, but the truth is most people don't know what to do if stuck in the wilderness. Reporting on something that can be useful and save someones lives is not a bad thing. Imagine if someone had died the week before James Kim left on his road trip and he happened to read the article.

I don't think Anderson Cooper and his production team is judging James Kim's actions, I was saying that the readers who made those comments were.

And I do get what you're saying about the informative nature of the article, but I would give it a bit more time. I mean, he died yesterday and they're releasing an article, essentially, on what James Kim could've done right. I think this would be a very resourceful article, but maybe if it came out later. This is way too soon IMO

[ShawnLee]

I don't think Anderson Cooper and his production team is judging James Kim's actions, I was saying that the readers who made those comments were.

And I do get what you're saying about the informative nature of the article, but I would give it a bit more time. I mean, he died yesterday and they're releasing an article, essentially, on what James Kim could've done right. I think this would be a very resourceful article, but maybe if it came out later. This is way too soon IMOEh, I disagree. Too soon? This is one of those timely things that people will read and learn from. I'm usually against the "harsh" media, but this I would call appropriate.

[Napoleon54]

I don't think Anderson Cooper and his production team is judging James Kim's actions, I was saying that the readers who made those comments were.

And I do get what you're saying about the informative nature of the article, but I would give it a bit more time. I mean, he died yesterday and they're releasing an article, essentially, on what James Kim could've done right. I think this would be a very resourceful article, but maybe if it came out later. This is way too soon IMO

I think it will be most effective if the info comes out sooner rather than later. Right now the media is buzzing about this story and it's getting a lot of coverage. Wait a few weeks for more sensitive timing and everybody'll be saying "James Who"? Unfortunate, but it's true.

[YellowCoffee]

I think it will be most effective if the info comes out sooner rather than later. Right now the media is buzzing about this story and it's getting a lot of coverage. Wait a few weeks for more sensitive timing and everybody'll be saying "James Who"? Unfortunate, but it's true.

Yeah, I guess I can see this perspective. I just feel bad for the family.

[TofuNinja]

I feel bad for his family and the situation sucks, but how is this guy a hero.... who did he save? His actions may have been heroic, but does that make him a hero? I personally don't think so. I mean I can't image the living hell he must have went through, the choice to leave and look for help must have been a tough one....but does that choice really make him a hero or are the media just pumping this up for ratings.

I'm not ripping this guy, I just feel that the media is being very liberal with the term hero in this sense. Don't get me wrong, this is very sad and tragic, but to me he is not a hero.... well maybe a tragic hero. I dunno. Something about how the media is hyping it rubs me wrong. I do feel for the guy.

sigh

[Devhux]

Here's a good follow-up article (http://news.com.com/James+Kim+died+of+hypothermia%2C+autopsy+reveals/2100-1028_3-6141886.html?tag=nefd.top) that explains what actually seemed to happen. It does help shed a bit more light on the situation.

...and here's the CNN Story (http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/07/missing.family/index.html?pc=&eref=affiliates) that also explains it -- turns out that he was just half a mile away from his vehicle in the end after heading in a direction that would have brought him back to the car.

Based on the circumstances now, I can definitely see that he did what seemed right (and what most people would probably do in a similar situation).

[Showtime]

I feel bad for his family and the situation sucks, but how is this guy a hero.... who did he save? His actions may have been heroic, but does that make him a hero? I personally don't think so. I mean I can't image the living hell he must have went through, the choice to leave and look for help must have been a tough one....but does that choice really make him a hero or are the media just pumping this up for ratings.

I'm not ripping this guy, I just feel that the media is being very liberal with the term hero in this sense. Don't get me wrong, this is very sad and tragic, but to me he is not a hero.... well maybe a tragic hero. I dunno. Something about how the media is hyping it rubs me wrong. I do feel for the guy.

sigh

The heroics were in the attempt imo. That and the fact that rescuers can't figure out how he had the strength to get so far. You can only imagine that he was thinking of the little ones and his wife the whole time he was freezing to death. He is a hero imo.

[Jihforce]

After reading a few articles about this, I fail to understand the logic behind traveling after 9pm at night, thru remote areas, during winter time. You have 2 kids and a wife, what were you thinking?!? Anyway, it is very sad to hear of his passing and what the family had to endure...very sad. :(

[Mommypooh]

Jihforce, I have to disagree with you. We normally when possible travel everywhere at night. It means peaceful driving. The kids sleep and you don't have to stop every hour to let them run around. I don't only chose to do this in the summer and densely populated areas. I travel in all weather and times of year. You act like this is something that you always have to fear and will happen to everyone that does travel at night and in rural areas.

[Tweety7]

He did what he felt he had to do. No one can say what they would do in the same position. You may think you know but until it happens you don't.

[ArkiStan]

Damn. I was just reading a review at CNet and realized it was written by James Kim. For some reason, this whole incident is really hitting me harder than other deaths I hear about on the news.

[Napoleon54]

He did what he felt he had to do. No one can say what they would do in the same position. You may think you know but until it happens you don't.

:agree:

How many days could you sit in a car with nothing to do but worry before you decided to take some action to try to save your family?

[brainsmile]

This affected me more than I thought it would

[Jihforce]

Jihforce, I have to disagree with you. We normally when possible travel everywhere at night. It means peaceful driving. The kids sleep and you don't have to stop every hour to let them run around. I don't only chose to do this in the summer and densely populated areas. I travel in all weather and times of year. You act like this is something that you always have to fear and will happen to everyone that does travel at night and in rural areas.

I can see your point and I do agree that the kids will definitely make it easier. However, driving at night, specially during winter does not make sense to me. Visibility is an issue, specially at night, traveling in remote areas does increase your chances of accidents and what not. Winter time in Oregon will give you lots of rain or snow, which isn't ideal for travel. Checking weather reports and avoiding small highways and roads is very important, specially when you are unfamiliar with the area. My main point is that when you go on road trips, you do what you have to in order to reduce your chances of something going wrong. Many things can't be avoided, but you can improve your odds ever so slightly.

I've done a lot of road trips in my life. (driven from So Cal to sf, yosemite, vegas & utah, north dakota, colorado, etc...) Back in April, I drove from SF to LA from PCH (the scenic route). It rained very hard, it was very foggy and cold. I did this during the day time and I could not see more than 5 feet ahead of me in most chases. It took me 8 hrs to get to San Luis Obispo from SF, where I had to stop because it got very dark. I can tell you that I couldn't have done it safely had i done it late at night.

My general rules of thumb are:

1) don't drive in bad weather conditions if you can avoid it.
2) don't drive at night when you will get tired or visibility is limited.
3) always gas up when you are half empty.
4) check-in with family once you stop for the day.
5) avoid small roads or highway if possible.

I hope you don't misunderstand, I'm not saying this will happen to everyone. But the fact is, it can if you aren't careful. (getting stranded that is). You shouldn't fear roadtrips, i take them all the time (driving out to utah next week), but you should follow some safety guidelines so you don't become stranded where you aren't familiar.

[Jihforce]

This affected me more than I thought it would

Yeah me too, every time I go on the road, i will think of the Kims.

[gear02]

Jihforce, I have to disagree with you. We normally when possible travel everywhere at night. It means peaceful driving. The kids sleep and you don't have to stop every hour to let them run around. I don't only chose to do this in the summer and densely populated areas. I travel in all weather and times of year. You act like this is something that you always have to fear and will happen to everyone that does travel at night and in rural areas.

I also think a lot of us who live in urban or suburban areas really never consider that it may be dangerous to drive in remote areas. Why? Because we drive on roads all the time and I think there's a natural assumption that if there is a paved road, it must be safe to drive. We really take it for granted.

The Kims were driving on a paved road and they kept on driving. Remember, that road was closed but some moron opened it. I don't think it crossed their mind that it may be unsafe until they got stuck.