CA CA - Matthew Weaver, 21, Santa Monica Mountains, 10 Aug 2018

[Christineisfab]

This was one of my earliest theories but the fact that the car was locked up, and that his wallet, phone and key were missing, made me rethink things. Unless of course that was incorrect reporting.

Unless maybe he locked up because he left the car to go find help and ran into trouble on the way down? But that call and the daylight timeline turn me off from this.

 

[carbuff]

Based on my amateur eye, it could be a 1997-2006.

So it's probably old enough that it doesn't have a keyless starter or automatic locks? I'm not famliar with BMW's features.

 

[Steph9676]

Modsnip/ post quoted is deleted

When I was 17 my parents got me a Chevy blazer and it was not an off road vehicle but I was young and didn’t know better so up in the hills one day my cousin and I took the suv off a road just like that. I got half way up and my friend with us said she was getting scared and wanted to go back so I slowly put the car in reverse then forward them reverse then forward then reverse then forward until the front of my car was facing right off the cliff and my back tires against the hill side. I backed up to go forward again and my right tire got stuck in a little ditch and I floored the car and it would not move. The tire kept spinning but there was no traction. We couldn’t push the car out it was completely stuck. My cousin left us and hiked off the trail and to a gas station and called my parents. (They we’re not happy) they called several tow trucks and no one would drive up the hill. My dad had to go up to the hill and dig my car out. I would assume if it was his back tire off the hill maybe it was a similar situation where he couldn’t get it out and needed help. If he wasn’t in the right frame of mind anything is possible. Maybe best case scenario he was scared and went into hiding for fear he would get into a lot of trouble. Worst case he tried to get his car out and something happened to him. Thinking back I am so lucky when I floored the car that It didn’t gain traction and fly right off the cliff.

 

[L7335]

If he'd fallen and died in the brush, the cadaver dogs should have been able to detect something.[/QUOTE]

Yes, yes, yes (although I have no idea if cadaver dogs have been taken to the area.) Perhaps I've placed to much faith in "scent" search dogs and cadaver dogs . . . but the fact that neither are picking up a trail for Weaver is one of the reasons I don't think he was in or with his car at the Topanga [Rosas] lookout.

 

[L7335]

The first picture is where his car was found. If you get almost to the top of Rosa's Overlook it forks off to the right snd his car was found on that trail. The second photo is exactly where his car was found. That indent in the trail is where his tire went off.


Greetings MB79: Thank you for the clarification -- this is just bizarre.

For context: I live in the area; I've hiked these trails; I went out and stood at this exact spot on 9/11/18. The place MalibuBarbie79 has identified in these photos is a seemingly decent width trail. BUT: it curves around the lookout platform and - within 20 feet or so very quickly narrows down to about a 12" dirt path with about 2-3 feet of shoulder space between shrubs & foliage.

I can't emphasize enough to people who have never personally seen this location how weird and senseless it would be to try to drive down this trail section. ** Assuming one was of competent mind and had enough daylight to see. ** It does not look like any kind of road: it looks like a trail. And if Weaver was familiar with the lookout site - as some have said on this forum - I can't believe he would make that mistake.

The fire road right before this trail turnoff isn't huge but it's plenty wide enough to make a 3-point (or 5-point or whatever) turn to drive back down the road. There would be no sensible reason to try to drive a car on the trail in order to turn around.

 

[Steph9676]

If he'd fallen and died in the brush, the cadaver dogs should have been able to detect something.

Yes, yes, yes (although I have no idea if cadaver dogs have been taken to the area.) Perhaps I've placed to much faith in "scent" search dogs and cadaver dogs . . . but the fact that neither are picking up a trail for Weaver is one of the reasons I don't think he was in or with his car at the Topanga [Rosas] lookout.[/QUOTE]

It mentioned they took dogs out and lost the scent the next day but since the original search has dogs come out again?

 

[Steph9676]

This search team is local and did the search for Maricela Garcia and I feel they got her scent right on. It was 3 weeks after she was taken during the rain and the dogs performed amazingly well in my opinion. They were able to trace her path from the goodwill to behind the parking lot to a church and catty corner to a Kaiser building where along the way her cell phone and choker necklace were found. Unfortunately she was taken and later found 25 miles away but it can at least show if he walked off the path to get help.

Search Dogs 24/7

 

[asmi106082]

From The Local Malibu:
“According to Matthew Sr., canines did pick up a scent but lost it before they reached the road. Scent dogs and cadaver dogs have been used in the search (the latter on the Monday following Weaver’s disappearance). (BBM)
Suspicious Circumstances Surround Disappearance of Matthew Weaver in Malibu Canyon Area Plague

Yes, yes, yes (although I have no idea if cadaver dogs have been taken to the area.) Perhaps I've placed to much faith in "scent" search dogs and cadaver dogs . . . but the fact that neither are picking up a trail for Weaver is one of the reasons I don't think he was in or with his car at the Topanga [Rosas] lookout.

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

Yes, yes, yes (although I have no idea if cadaver dogs have been taken to the area.) Perhaps I've placed to much faith in "scent" search dogs and cadaver dogs . . . but the fact that neither are picking up a trail for Weaver is one of the reasons I don't think he was in or with his car at the Topanga [Rosas] lookout.

It mentioned they took dogs out and lost the scent the next day but since the original search has dogs come out again?[/QUOTE]

Matthew's Help Find FB page shared the following post by his Aunt from three days ago:
"Matthew Weaver's Family would like to thank the Malibu Search & Rescue Team, Air 7 & The Canine Unit for coming out early this morning to conduct a search for Matt or any evidence leading to the discovery of Matt. Thank you for all your efforts in trying to solve this mysterious case." (BBM)
Help Find Matthew Weaver Jr

 

[carbuff]

Conditions can make a big difference in a scent dog's effectiveness. Hot dry weather causes scents to dissipate rapidly. If the dog is tired or not feeling well, their scenting ability will be impaired. If there have been a lot of other people walking in the area, it makes it harder for the dog to pick up the right scent trail. And sometimes the handler misses a signal--the dog can't just say, "Hey, stupid, I said over HERE!"

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

Posted on The Local Malibu FB page nine hours ago:

"A message from James Weaver, Matthew’s grandfather.
'Just to let everyone know again about this weeks plans to continue with the search for Matt Jr.(see attached flyer) I would like to thank everyone in advance who has the time to come out and support our family this week.
We would especially like to give thanks to Pacific Eagle Air Cam for there donated time and equipment to come out again an help search Stunt Road down to Mulholland Drive
Kevin and his son Kenny and friend Bernie have already put in a lot of donated hours to help us search the area by Rosas Overlook. This is a outstandi ng group of people and we highly recommend them to everyone who might need this type of service. Check out there link below.
Pacific Eagle Air Cam - Camera Drone Specialists

[SBM]

Also we would like to thank Cece at The Local Malibu for her continued coverage of Matt’s story and making sure we keep him in the public’s view.
He will be found. This family doesn’t give up!
Also please be on the lookout for our search parties if your driving in this area use and use extra care when passing them.
Thanks again
James Weaver Sr.'"
The Local Malibu

 

[Steph9676]

It mentioned they took dogs out and lost the scent the next day but since the original search has dogs come out again?

Matthew's Help Find FB page shared the following post by his Aunt from three days ago:
"Matthew Weaver's Family would like to thank the Malibu Search & Rescue Team, Air 7 & The Canine Unit for coming out early this morning to conduct a search for Matt or any evidence leading to the discovery of Matt. Thank you for all your efforts in trying to solve this mysterious case." (BBM)
Help Find Matthew Weaver Jr[/QUOTE]

I missed the message from the aunt saying dogs were out again. Thank you for the follow up. What day was that?

 

[Steph9676]

Posted on The Local Malibu FB page nine hours ago:

"A message from James Weaver, Matthew’s grandfather.
'Just to let everyone know again about this weeks plans to continue with the search for Matt Jr.(see attached flyer) I would like to thank everyone in advance who has the time to come out and support our family this week.
We would especially like to give thanks to Pacific Eagle Air Cam for there donated time and equipment to come out again an help search Stunt Road down to Mulholland Drive
Kevin and his son Kenny and friend Bernie have already put in a lot of donated hours to help us search the area by Rosas Overlook. This is a outstandi ng group of people and we highly recommend them to everyone who might need this type of service. Check out there link below.
Pacific Eagle Air Cam - Camera Drone Specialists

[SBM]

Also we would like to thank Cece at The Local Malibu for her continued coverage of Matt’s story and making sure we keep him in the public’s view.
He will be found. This family doesn’t give up!
Also please be on the lookout for our search parties if your driving in this area use and use extra care when passing them.
Thanks again
James Weaver Sr.'"
The Local Malibu

That sounds promising that they are searching. Thank you for linking that.

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

Matthew's Help Find FB page shared the following post by his Aunt from three days ago:
"Matthew Weaver's Family would like to thank the Malibu Search & Rescue Team, Air 7 & The Canine Unit for coming out early this morning to conduct a search for Matt or any evidence leading to the discovery of Matt. Thank you for all your efforts in trying to solve this mysterious case." (BBM)
Help Find Matthew Weaver Jr

I missed the message from the aunt saying dogs were out again. Thank you for the follow up. What day was that?[/QUOTE]
Last Saturday, September 22nd.

 

[passepartout]

Conditions can make a big difference in a scent dog's effectiveness. Hot dry weather causes scents to dissipate rapidly. If the dog is tired or not feeling well, their scenting ability will be impaired. If there have been a lot of other people walking in the area, it makes it harder for the dog to pick up the right scent trail. And sometimes the handler misses a signal--the dog can't just say, "Hey, stupid, I said over HERE!"

But they had the dogs out within hours of MW's disappearance and for several subsequent searches. They've said cadaver dogs were out. The other dogs would do things like air scent or trailing - and it would seem within a relatively short time frame.

The redundancy of the searches should cover for the things carbuff mentioned. It's unlikely that every dog got it wrong - and in this case, it seemed like they all had the same non-result. Which brings you back to whether he was there at all when the car was abandoned.

 

[Roxxi3535]

Falling or jumping off the overlook: (1) the sniffer dogs would have found something, (2) the chaparral/brush would have caught him.

If you're not familiar with this type of California brush/chaparral, it's thick and irregular and not easy to bushwhack. Bears could do it, back when bears were plentiful in these areas, but it's not very human-friendly.

L7335 has done a great job explaining what this ecosystem is like in earlier posts.

I used to hunt with hounds in similar terrain (not as mountainous) in the high desert and occasionally in the Santa Susana/Chatsworth area. Scent burns off quickly once the sun is up and even fast hounds have to pick their way through this kind of vegetation.

As others have mentioned, the overlook is a well-trafficked spot and the MW events took place on a Friday, which would be a more popular day of the week for going to the overlook. It's a city-slicker's 'hike', close to the metropolis and a walk up a dirt road. The Backbone Trail - popular for thru-hiking or just doing sections of it - is very close by. It seems unlikely to me that MW could be up there starting at 7.30a and be up there for hours/all day without anyone seeing him.

From the recent aborted Local post, there was some story about the cries for help sounding like a man and a woman fighting over a gun (quoted earlier upthread but the post has been taken down). This would lead me to believe that the cries for something were not related to MW but were related to something happening elsewhere across the canyons where sound really can travel. Yes, it was LE response to these cries that led to the discovery of MW's car, but so far, there's nothing to link these things. When the cries were heard, MW would have been at the overlook area for almost 17 hours. But then when the dogs showed up a few hours later, there was no trail of scent from his vehicle or around the overlook.

And then it's also odd that no one called in about a car apparently abandoned on that trail, especially if people went there to watch the sunset and were walking down as it was getting dark. The abandoned car would look a little odd and probably alarming.

If I were in LA this week, I'd join in the search.

In earlier reports, hikers supposedly had spotted someone stuck in their car on the edge of the outlook and called 911 to get them some help. Then again, there are so many versions being passed around through media of what happened where, when and why, really hard to pinpoint what happened and what did not.
It seems one would only drive up this trail with one intention and it does not involve turning around, driving back down and safely returning home .
I feel like he had decided that morning that he would drive up that trail and drive his car right over the edge.
Seems things didnt go as planned and his car got hung up on something.
Maybe thats when his last text was sent asking for help or someone to talk to. Possible that he changed his mind at that moment and was considering a way to get his car back down and needed someone to assist him.
Maybe he realized he was already in over his head, decided there would be no going back from this and ultimately jumped either near the location of his car or possibly wandered off to another location and carried out with jumping there. This would explain why hes not being found near where his vehicle was located.
Just speculating here. I doubt anyone would drive up that trail with the expectation of drivng back down it.

 

[passepartout]

Just speculating here. I doubt anyone would drive up that trail with the expectation of drivng back down it.

A question for you: in your version of events, at what time was the vehicle parked there?

If the car incident coincides with the last text, the vehicle is there at mid-day, with people passing by intermittently - but not reporting the car - for the remainder of the day until it was 'discovered' by the LE search group at 3.30a.

Is it credible that the car was there all that time with no one reporting anything unusual?

 

[carbuff]

There have been a number of cases where an impaired person (medical or chemical) drives into obscure, impossible, or dangerous situations. We've seen several cases where a person drove down a boat ramp thinking it was a road.

I worked at a place where a guy having a seizure drove off the interest, around through side streets, and through our parking lot to the loading dock, where he ran into a concrete barrier at a fairly high rate of speed (not fatal, fortunately). He got there following the right hand side of the road.

Another non-fatal case near us a couple of years ago, a guy drove down a bike path and over the pedestrian/bike bridge, which was like two feet wide.

So I can believe he might have gotten into that position by accident. And if he was impaired enough to get into that position, he was probably impaired enough to not be able to cope with the situation he found himself in.

 

[Razz]

In earlier reports, hikers supposedly had spotted someone stuck in their car on the edge of the outlook and called 911 to get them some help. Then again, there are so many versions being passed around through media of what happened where, when and why, really hard to pinpoint what happened and what did not.
It seems one would only drive up this trail with one intention and it does not involve turning around, driving back down and safely returning home .
I feel like he had decided that morning that he would drive up that trail and drive his car right over the edge.
Seems things didnt go as planned and his car got hung up on something.
Maybe thats when his last text was sent asking for help or someone to talk to. Possible that he changed his mind at that moment and was considering a way to get his car back down and needed someone to assist him.
Maybe he realized he was already in over his head, decided there would be no going back from this and ultimately jumped either near the location of his car or possibly wandered off to another location and carried out with jumping there. This would explain why hes not being found near where his vehicle was located.
Just speculating here. I doubt anyone would drive up that trail with the expectation of drivng back down it.

We need a more definitive time line. I appreciate Malibu Barbie's input very much but it would help if she became a Verified Insider.

 

[chinacat67]

Agreed.

However, the logical thing to do, after partying all night then dropping your girlfriend of at her home (it appears she went to work after that going by those screenshots posted at the Local), would be to go to sleep.

We're not sure where his gf lives but the top of Topanga would not seem to be on his way home to Granada Hills. Whatever the reason was he went there, it would seem logical that he slept in the car for a few hours. I wonder if there's any evidence of this.

I have known very very few logical 20 year old boys...or girls for that matter. Adult logic is not their forte, they are still learning...

Jmo