Missing Man’s Body Found In Death Valley After Major Search

Death Valley National Park (CA)
Missing Man’s Body Found After Major Search

On March 13th, rangers received a report of a missing and overdue camper at Mesquite Springs Campground in the northern part of the park. The missing man, 68-year-old George Kohler of San Francisco, was part of a commercial bicycle tour group that was passing through the park. Kohler was last seen around the group campfire on Monday evening and was reported missing the following morning. His bike, camping gear, cell phone and personal effects were still in camp.

Rangers began a hasty search when they arrived on scene, but were unable to find Kohler. Assistance was requested from the Inyo County Sheriff's Office and its SAR team that afternoon. A Sea Hawk helicopter from China Lake Naval Air Station was also requested and arrived on scene in early afternoon. The pilot flew expanding circles around the point last seen, but was unable to spot Kohler and left at nightfall. Nellis Air Force Base then provided a FLIR-equipped C-130 and two Black Hawk helicopters with night vision capabilities, which flew the expanded search area from 7 until 10 p.m., also without success.

Over the next three days, search efforts intensified, with more dog teams and more personnel from Inyo and San Bernardino County SAR teams participating. An investigative unit was established on Thursday consisting of an ISB special agent and a sergeant from Inyo County to investigate the possibility that Kohler was not in the search area or had become a crime victim. Aircraft continued to fly the area most of the day and into the night, including an F-18 fighter equipped with FLIR, the C-130, and the two Black Hawks. Ground searchers focused on slot canyons, box canyons, mesquite thickets and ravines that were not visible from the air.

On Friday, the military aircraft were not available. The California Highway Patrol provided an H-80 helicopter that remained with the search until mid-afternoon, when winds increased to the point that further flights in the search area would be hazardous. Family members, including Kohler's spouse, arrived in the park on Thursday. By Friday, there were approximately 60 ground searchers on scene, including dog teams and an overhead ICS team provided by San Bernardino County SO. At the end of the day on Friday, search efforts were temporarily suspended due to approaching hazardous weather that included heavy rains, wind and decreased temperatures. Since most of the search area is in braided wash terrain and drains most of the adjoining Cottonwood Mountains. there was substantial potential for flash flooding.

The hazardous weather continued throughout the weekend and into Monday, March 19th. On Tuesday, March 20th, a much down-sized search effort was resumed at with about 20 ground searchers and a CARDA dog team in the field following up on the few clues that had been located to this point. Participating ground searchers were from Inyo, Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare and Mono Counties as well as the China Lake Mountain Rescue Team.

On Tuesday afternoon, ground searchers found a body, believed to be Kohler's, in a small ravine about a mile northeast of the campground and a quarter mile from the paved Scotty's Castle Road. The Inyo County coroner was called to the scene. Key personnel on this incident for the NPS were rangers Micah Alley (IC for the incident, then deputy IC when Inyo County assumed command), Matt Martin (air operations supervisor), Lynne Stokes (family liaison), and ISB special agent Brian Lake (investigation).

Wow, what a sad story. I wonder if he went sleep walking. Only a 1/4 mile from the road...