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.