Alert: Missing Thacher Students
If you have any information, please call Thacher at 805-646-4377 805-798-1583 or email mmulligan@thacher.org, and please forward this to anyone who may have info. I'd recommend not showing up to help, as there are already multiple teams on the ground - if I hear otherwise, I'll post an update.
[UPDATE 12/07 - 1:50pm] VC Sheriff Press Release after the jump
[UPDATE 12/08 - 8:37am] Search called off, teens presumed to have run away (h/t anonymous)
[UPDATE 12/09 - 10:27am] Confirmed - Students Found. Thacher School Director of Communications Chris Land confirms that the students have been found and are being reunited with the parents. The kids are "safe and healthy" and we have a "happy ending." When the story has more clarity, the school will be issuing a press release. Great news from the east end...
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December 6, 2008
Dear Parents,
Last night, two of our students, a senior girl and a junior boy who are having a relationship, failed to appear for check-in at 10:30 pm. A search of the campus ensued, conducted by advisors, dorm heads, administrators, and seniors. When they were not found in the central campus, we expanded the search to the fields, outbuildings, and trails. At the end of wandering at 1:00 am when they still had not appeared, we contacted the parents. By 3:00 am, everyone had returned from their various searches and went to bed.
In the morning, the missing students had not returned. After a further daylight search, we called the police and made a missing minor report. That report is in the state-wide system. Ventura County Search and Rescue will begin work in the back country shortly. In addition, Cam Schryver has organized a group of upper class riders to comb the adjacent trails. In short, everything that can be done is being done.
We are in constant contact with both the authorities and the parents. Mike Mulligan, who is at a conference of boarding school leaders in Baltimore, is heading back to campus as quickly as possible. We have interviewed friends of both students but have not developed a clear notion of why they might have left the campus and where they might have headed.
We will continue to monitor this situation and keep you informed. Thanks for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Peter G. Robinson
Assistant Head of School
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VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF - MEDIA RELEASE
Nature of Incident: Sheriff’s Department Searches for Two Missing Teenagers
Location: Thacher School, 5025 Thacher Road, Ojai, CA
Names and Descriptions:
George Nicholas Skan, 16 years old, White, male, 6’1”, 170, brown hair and eyes. Last seen wearing a gray hoodie sweatshirt, red shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers with the word ‘money’ on them. George has some bald patches in his hair.
Tyler Collins Cook, 17 years old, White, female, 5’6”, 140, brown hair and eyes. Last seen wearing a gray hat, blue and green poncho, brown turtleneck shirt, blue jeans with white paint on them, and fuzzy brown slippers.
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The Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating two teenagers who left their boarding school late Friday night. The teens were last seen at Thacher School at about 9:00 p.m. They were discovered missing, and presumed runawy, at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning.
An extensive air and ground search has been underway since Saturday involving Sheriff’s helicopters, Urban Search and Rescue, and bloodhounds.
The teens are considered strong and healthy, but are not dressed for the weather nor do they have extensive resources at their disposal.
Anyone who has seen the teenagers or has information about their whereabouts, should contact Thacher School at 805-798-1583. Photographs are not available at this time.
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Comments (17)
from what i hear, time is of the essence with missing persons and ANY info at all might be valuable. let's go ojai.
Comment #1 Posted by: marcos | December 6, 2008 03:32 PM
praying it is a case of students finding themselves ...
just off releasing the insanity and authority and deception of the world.
hoping we hear good news, of their returning from their wanderlust soon.
did they have access to a car? strange that their friends have not offered insight.
is there an internet information board on the situation? how can we be of assistance?
Comment #2 Posted by: millennium | December 6, 2008 08:30 PM
no news from the Thacher.org webpage.
here is Saturday news from the Sunday Ventura County Star:
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/dec/07/nb3missingteensbrief07/
the story claims the girl was wearing slippers, so could not perhaps have gone far if they remained on foot. any horses missing?
Comment #3 Posted by: mt | December 7, 2008 01:40 PM
This description is inaccurate.
Tyler Cook, the girl, is 5'9", with light brown, sun-bleached (close to blond) hair and large brown eyes. She has a thin athletic frame and is tanned but naturally fair. It is very unlikely that she would be wearing fuzzy slippers. tyler is lovely and very natural looking.
sincerely,
her sister
Comment #4 Posted by: lexie cook | December 7, 2008 03:36 PM
This description is inaccurate.
Tyler Cook, the girl, is 5'9", with light brown, sun-bleached (close to blond) hair and large brown eyes. She has a thin athletic frame and is tanned but naturally fair. It is very unlikely that she would be wearing fuzzy slippers.
sincerely,
her sister
Posted OVN website:
December 7, 2008 3:18 PM
Comment #5 Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2008 03:37 PM
all our love, Lexie,
does it sound like your sister Tyler and her friend definitely are in the forest, not run off for a holiday? are they good outdoors people? anything you want to share?
my wife Megumi and I are sending our prayers. the best wishes of the Ojai Valley are with these two and their families.
Comment #6 Posted by: Millennium | December 7, 2008 05:29 PM
Thank you much, Lexie - please continue to report in with any information that allows the community to help the school, the families and the search teams find these two. My prayers for a safe return.
Comment #7 Posted by: Ojai Post Tyler | December 7, 2008 06:52 PM
Search for Thacher students called off:
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/dec/08/search-for-thacher-students-called-off/
Comment #8 Posted by: Anonymous | December 8, 2008 05:30 AM
great news!
the students, George and Tyler, were seen
hitch-hiking to Santa Paula -- and are thought
to be OK, just hiding out from parents, etc.
hopefully we will hear from them soon.
Comment #9 Posted by: millennium | December 8, 2008 07:51 PM
Where did you get that information?
Comment #10 Posted by: Sally | December 8, 2008 08:33 PM
That reported sighting was non-conclusive as the people in question were not confirmed to be the missing students, nor were they still on the road when searched for. However, even if it is them, everyone please continue to keep your eyes open, everyone is hoping and praying for their safe return!
Comment #11 Posted by: Anonymous | December 8, 2008 08:55 PM
10 mins ago i heard that they were found..from trusted sources at the school..
Comment #12 Posted by: Anonymous | December 9, 2008 10:18 AM
They were found ok!!!
Comment #13 Posted by: Abbe | December 9, 2008 10:24 AM
Confirmed - see the update in the main story above for a few details. Good deal.
Comment #14 Posted by: Tyler | December 9, 2008 10:37 AM
Missing students found at Santa Barbara Airport:
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/dec/09/no-headline---nxxfcfound10/
Comment #15 Posted by: Anonymous | December 9, 2008 11:00 AM
The EDHAT link says they were trying to board a plane.
Comment #16 Posted by: footloose&fancyfree | December 9, 2008 01:47 PM
While the article linked by #15 tells the good news we all hoped to hear (that they were found, alive and safe), the comments that follow are atrocious. classism, ageism, sexism, alcoholism...it's all there. Be proud, Ventura.
Comment #17 Posted by: evan austin | December 9, 2008 02:23 PM