Man missing for two days
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May 10, 1985 |
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By Glenn Henderson
Through ranger
Tom Patterson of the Joshua Tree National
Monument we were called to help search for a
missing adult at Hidden Valley Campground. Fellow
members Joe Erickson, Kevin Walker, Rob Gardner,
Jim Fairchild, Bill, George and myself responded
to the Hidden Valley Camp. There we learned that
we would be looking for Eric Greenspan of Los
Angeles. Eric was last seen by friends on May
8th. Eric's car was located in the Hidden Valley
Campground at 5:30 AM the day of the call. Called
in along with RMRU to help JOSAR Joshua Tree
Search and Rescue) was the Sierra Madre Search
and Rescue Team and the California Rescue Dog
Association. Teams were made up and given
assignments. Since RMRU was one of the first to
arrive, we were given a perimeter assignment of
the camp. Jim and Bill were a team as were Joe
and I, and then Kevin and Rob. As we searched, a
Bell 212 helicopter arrived from El Toro Marine
Base piloted by Bob Moran. After they had checked
in, Tom Patterson joined them for an air search
of the area. We completed our perimeter search
and started spreading out. The search dogs were
now in the field, as was Sierra Madre. Strangely
enough, 
as Joe and I approached a formation
of rocks (several stories high) on the edge of
the Wonderland of Rocks, the helicopter flew over
and then stopped and hovered. Joe and I converged
on the scene as Tom Patterson and medic Mike
Angelo rappelled out of the helicopter. On a
ledge in the formation we found the body of Eric.
Still in his hand was a hand gun. Rob and Kevin
were close behind. The news was radioed back to
base. A few more teams converged on the scene.
The coroner was contacted and responded to the
monument. After his investigation was completed,
we assisted in the carryout. Our team hound dog
Joe stayed and helped looked for the shell
casing, which he found. An unusual note,
information given to the park service and field
teams was to be looking for a hiking boot or a
running shoe. Eric was wearing cowboy boots.
Earlier in the day Joe and I came across those
very same prints in the vicinity. So goes the
search game. To the family and friends of Eric we
would like to express our sympathy on the loss of
your family member.