Found Safe WA - Hunter Fraser, 44, Olympic National Park, 6 June 2023

[Countem]

(Photo from the following link.)

Stanford professor reported missing in Washington park

(KRON) — A search is underway for a Stanford professor who went missing in Washington’s Olympic National Park, the National Park Service said Friday. Hunter Fraser has not been heard fr…

www.kron4.com

Search underway for overdue solo hiker in Olympic National Park

Hunter Fraser left his vehicle at the Deer Ridge Trailhead on June 5 and planned on completing a 40-mile trek with two overnights, but he never returned.

komonews.com

Stanford biology professor Hunter Fraser has gone missing while on a 40-mile, two-night, solo hike in Washington’s Olympic National Forest. He began the hike on Monday, June 5, 2023; last made contact (via text) with relatives on Tuesday morning, June 6, 2023; and was due to conclude his hike (and was reported missing on) Wednesday, June 7, 2023. He was last reported seen on Monday, June 5, west of Deer Park Campground.

Fraser was due in court on Friday, June 9, 2023 to face a felony domestic violence charge pertaining to an incident on July 4, 2022 where he allegedly threw his girlfriend on the ground and later slammed a door into her while playing a game with her and Fraser’s daughter. The woman suffered broken ribs as a result of the incident. Fraser has maintained his innocence in the matter.

Domestic violence charge against Stanford prof raised to felony

The domestic violence charge against Stanford biology professor Hunter Fraser was raised from a misdemeanor to a felony Tuesday morning at a Palo Alto Courthouse hearing. Fraser again pleaded not guilty.

stanforddaily.com

Fraser is 44 years old and 6-foot-3-inches tall. He has small scars on his head and chin. He was traveling with a “well-supplied” gray backpack and a teal, one-person Mountain Hardware “Solitude” tent.

According to the first article, “Anyone who was in the area of Slab Camp, Deer Park, Gray Wolf Trail, Cameron Creek Trail, or Grand Valley between June 5 and June 8 is asked to call NPS at 888-653-0009.”

 

[PommyMommy]

• Mon June 5, AM - Fraser left on a 40-mile hike and has not returned. His vehicle was parked at Deer Ridge Trailhead.
• Mon June 5, Afternoon - Last seen west of Deer Park Campground.
• Tues June 6 AM - Last contact with family via text.
• Wed June 7, mid-day - Fraser was expected to return to Seattle.
• Wed June 7, 6:17 PM - Sheriff was notified by park officials of the overdue hiker and began an extensive search at Deer Ridge Trail, where Fraser's car was parked.
• Fri June 9 - Due in Palo Alto court to face a felony domestic violence charge.

Clallam County Sheriff's Office | Facebook

Stanford professor goes missing in Washington amid domestic violence charges​

 

[PommyMommy]

Deer Ridge

Hike through a tunnel of rhododendron blooms and second-growth forest to views of the Olympic Peninsula interior and a carpet of wildflowers. Hike this route in the early summer and you may be lucky enough to see Deer Park with no cars, since the road to Deer Park often doesn't open until late...

www.wta.org

Slab Camp Creek/Deer Ridge Trailhead · Sequim, WA 98382

★★★★★ · Hiking area

www.google.com

 

[Teche]

What a coincidence.

 

[Betty P]

I wonder how good cell phone reception is? They might track his phone. Scent dogs might help, too?

Not many roads around that area. I hope they're checking all of them.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUN 10, 2023

Fears for Stanford professor who failed to return from 40 mile hike

A Stanford University professor set to face charges for allegedly slamming the door on his girlfriend missed the hearing and has not been seen since beginning a hiking trip in Washington.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Fraser's sister Whitney has posted updates to Facebook twice on Friday, saying that '4-5 teams' were on the ground with search dogs and a helicopter rescue was attempting to find her brother.

She adds that rescue crews will continue searching through Saturday.

JUN 9, 2023

missing backpacker hunter fraser - Olympic National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

Olympic National Park dispatched several search teams on June 9th including Olympic National Park Search and Rescue, Olympic Mountain Rescue, Kitsap Explorer Search and Rescue, Jefferson Search and Rescue, Pierce County Search and Rescue, and dog teams from Kitsap, Pierce, and Mason Counties.

While the region has been experiencing a stretch of very nice weather, the high country of Olympic National Park is still very much covered in snow. Visitors to the mountains should be prepared for snow covered trails and navigating avalanche terrain. The proper equipment is necessary. Visitors that plan to stay overnight in the backcountry of Olympic National Park are required to have a Wilderness Permit. These permits help rangers know the general itinerary of an individual and includes an emergency contact.

 

[sasha17]

Found safe!

Missing hiker in Olympic National Park 'self-rescued' days after start of backpacking trip

A 44-year-old man who went missing on a solo hike in Olympic National Park on Wednesday "self-rescued" on Saturday.

komonews.com

 

[PommyMommy]

Great news. Hopefully he recovers in time to attend his new court date.

Missing hiker was set to appear in California court Friday on felony charge

By Pepper Fisher OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – The Mercury News in California’s Bay Area is reporting that Hunter Fraser, the hiker who has been missing in Olympic National Park since Wednesday, was set to appear Friday morning

www.myclallamcounty.com

Tessa Stephenson, the deputy district attorney assigned to the case, said the preliminary hearing was rescheduled to June 28.

 

[Countem]

Stanford professor found after going missing on hike days before trial

Stanford University professor Hunter Fraser, 44, went missing on a 40-mile trek in Washington State just days before he was set for a court hearing over a domestic abuse charge in California.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Fraser issued a statement to The Daily Mail, denying the domestic abuse charges against him and stating that he had intended to appear at the court hearing before going missing while hiking.

Fraser […] claims he slipped on a snowy slope, hitting his head which caused him to become 'disoriented and lost.'

'I found myself deep in the wilderness, far from any trail. I eventually found a stream and followed it through very dense, steep terrain for many miles,' he said.

He then claims he spent the next two days hiking 15 hours each day[.]

After finding and taking an inactive trail, he eventually doubled back to another trail and found a road, where he was rescued. He was taken to a hospital and diagnosed with a concussion.