Search & Recovery in Death Valley
Update on Death Valley Body Recovery
[UPDATE: 4/07/2020- Sierra Wave spoke with the Inyo County Coroner’s Office to follow-up on this story. We found out the following: The decedent was William David Namahoe, a 55-years-old single male from Modesto, Calif. with family in Tracy. He reportedly worked at Costco and was described as someone who enjoyed hiking, biking, and the outdoors.]
Search & Recovery in Death Valley
(Press Release – Inyo County Sheriff – 4/06/2020)
DEATH VALLEY, CA. April 6, 2020 – On April 4, in the afternoon, Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch was notified of a possible deceased person found by a hiking party of three near the base of Manly Beacon out of the Zabriskie Point trailhead, Death Valley National Park.
Inyo Sheriff SAR in Death Valley
An Inyo County Sheriff’s Deputy and Death Valley Rangers responded. Rangers located the body and determined the subject was deceased. It is believed that the individual fell approximately 300 feet from Manly Beacon. Due to lack of sufficient resources and time, a recovery was not attempted that evening.
On April 5, Inyo County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Coordinators, Inyo County Search and Rescue, and Death Valley National Park Rangers responded. CHP Inland Division Air Operations (H-82) from Apple Valley also responded to assist. Ground teams recovered the body from its position up a steep and loose draw. H-82 hoisted the decedent by air and transferred the body to the Inyo County Coroner’s Office.
Sheriff SAR Death Valley April _4-06-2020 (02)
A rental vehicle was located at the trailhead; NPS Rangers reported the vehicle as being there for about three days prior to the discovery of the decedent. The identity of the recovered body is still pending positive identification by the Inyo County Coroner’s office.
Currently, Death Valley National Park is closed to all recreation other than highway through-travel. A reminder: do not participate in risky outdoor recreation at this time due to emergency medical care being prioritized by COVID-19 patients and limited rescue resources.
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Hello Fredlyn,
I wish I can say that I met your brother during his time on Earth, because based on the comments above, I think we have a lot in common. I am terribly sorry for your loss and I wish you and your own family peace. Thank you for thinking of my daughter; knowing that he is back with all of you has helped her. Best to all of you!
I am so saddened by the comments that I am reading here, “Sick of it already”. I googled William’s name, because that’s how we know him in our household. And we pray for his family everyday. Because my family found this beautiful soul in the desert, and I am so glad that I was there, on the last day that the park was open. My young daughter, my husband, and I. And my 15 year old daughter read these callous comments from you. That day changed her forever. Shame on you, Sick of it Already. This man had a family and a group of friends. SHAME ON YOU.
Sarah Schwartz
I am William’s (Bill) sister. We had heard that a family had met him earlier in the week and went back to that spot on Friday, and found him. I want to thank you and your family for helping in the recovery of William. We did not find out about this horrible accident until Tuesday (4/7) the day the deputy was able to get in touch with our mother. I pray that you and your family, especially your daughter will find peace and that you were able to meet my dear brother.
I can speak for just about everyone at work we will truly miss billy and work will never be the same
Thank you for all the laughs, pictures of Charles and all the lemon bars cookies and brownies any one can ask for , I dont think I can put in on another lottery ticket or football square without thinking of you COSTCO 172 179 ????
I am one of Bill’s sisters and I wanted everyone to know what a great man Bill was… Bill was always making a plate of food at our holiday dinners and taking it to a homeless person, sitting and talking to that person because Bill did not want that person to eat that dinner alone. When Hurricane Katrina hit, Bill had a BBQ fundraiser at his work to raise money for all the animals that were left behind. Bill loved to walk and ride his bikes everywhere..Bill also loved to hike and climb. Bill was so proud of climbing Mt. Whitney, Mt. San Jacinto, El Capitan and many more. I will miss my brother’s phone calls asking to me to send pictures of my grand babies, or tell me to go for a walk and watch the sun rise… “because it is so beautiful and green in the morning”. This was an accident that took my brother to his final resting place. Knowing he will be with our dad, gives our mother great comfort. Thank you to everyone that left beautiful messages about my brother… TAKE AN EARLY MORNING HIKE AND ENJOY THE SUNRISE… look up to the sky and you will feel Bill sending you a “thumbs up”
So sorry to hear of our friend Fredlyn.
This thread is a textbook example of the disagreement that I had with Bennett when I facilitated the construction of this blog many years ago. I argued that pseudonyms should not have their comments published unless those comments contain information pertaining to the content of the story and publishing the identity of the commenting person might put them in jeopardy. The first amendment does not apply to pseudonyms or this web site. Publishing anything any pseudonym writes, in particular letting someone hide behind a pseudonym while spewing hostile and combative garbage, is not a public service in my opinion.
Kuydo’s to you , Russ. I’ve never commented without using my own name. Those who so willingly spout their opinion'(s) behind a fake identity are cowards & have no business barking .
I am Bill’s niece, and this time has been extremely difficult for our family, friends and everyone my uncle loved. It is easy for anyone to hide behind a computer screen and say heartless and ignorant things. There is too much negativity in the world, especially at a time like this. Our family has been checking this comment thread continuously. Normally I don’t make posts on public threads like this, but I just wanted to thank everyone who left a heart felt comment about my uncle. Anyone who has had the privilege of meeting him, knows what kind of person he was, and that is all that matters and not some random person/people on the internet.
Meanwhile, on Facebook (which led me here), friends are mourning this man’s passing. He was very much cared for. Heartbroken is the most-used word to describe their feelings.
Kathy Melendez
Please don’t take it to heart or let his disgusting comments upset you,or think the rest of us up here in the Owens Valley think even close to the same way about the things he writes.
He’s a punk looking for negative attention saying what he did and does.
First,it was all about the friend you lost.Then it got to his opinions on who,where,when and how him and other people should be able to deal with the COVID -19 virus and how the rules,the distancing and closed areas shouldn’t effect him.
I guarantee you,,when he wrote that first post and then the others,he’s sitting in a room somewhere with his guy- buddies.all laughing and joking,patting him on the back,watching every comment being posted and every “thumbs down” coming up and telling him what an ass he is.
And then trying to come across as this big Owens Valley expert and experienced “outdoorsman”,when in all actuality,his dangerous hikes,climbing abilities and outdoor activities consist of his daily walks to the post office. .
David Dennison,
Please don’t apologise for me. For your information I am a Grandma(not transgender) have hiked all over inyo and mono counties, and still haven’t made that 300 foot fall, because I know my ablities. Oh, and I wrote that post because I wanted to take my Grandkids camping in Death Valley, cause they aren’t in school,and as soon as a dead body was discovered, they completely closed down the park. So why don’t you call the Superintendent and ask him if the dead body was a factor in the total closure?
I guess you’re just pissed off Dave, cause you can’t smoke it up down at the Casino with Stormy. You should get the crystal ball out and start reading fortunes, you know so much about everyone’s personal life.
well, grandma, you sound full of hate. We’re all frustrated with the closures, which have to do with keeping non-locals away. Lots of activities that locals should be able to do, have been restricted for those reasons. Not fair, but what option do they have?
first of all, ok boomer! i’m quite disgusted by what you have been saying on here, you don’t even know the whole story. death valley closed an hour and a half BEFORE he was found, due to COVID-19, and I know this as a fact because i am one of the three individuals who found him. to those that knew him i am so sorry for your loss and i am also sorry that you have to see all of these terrible comments from I’m Sick Of It Already.
I want to thank you and your family for finding our brother. At first I didn’t want to read the disgusting comments made about my brother, but as I continued to read.. 99% were very beautiful comments. I know my brother would not care about the terrible comments, because William (Bill) got along with everyone that had the pleasure of meeting him. I hope you and your family will find peace knowing William is finally home with our father. Again, much love to you and your family..
According to the NPS, Death Valley’s closure (except for through traffic) is due to concern about Covid-19.
https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm
There is no mention on that website of the unfortunate death of Mr. Namahoe. Your comments are irrelevant to the situation and offensive to his family and friends. I hope you can find something safe and enjoyable for you and your grandkids to do in these difficult times.
Sick of it already!
The fact that you are a grandmother, and have the responsibility of hopefully showing your grandchildren the difference between right and wrong, I am disgusted at your words and the fact you try to justify them. I’ve known Bill, that’s right he has a name, since the 4th grade. He just wasn’t my friend, he was my brother!! We were supposed to take a trip to a bike show at the end of the month. There was always something to do. Bill has a loving mother, three sisters, a brother, and numerous nieces and nephews, along with an outrageous amount of friends. He helped his friends with whatever they needed, donated to many charities, in fact we found out he’s leaving money to the local animal shelter. Bill’s heart was as big as areas he explored! There is so much more I want to say about my brother but he would tell me not to worry about it. So with that, I wanted to tell u the “dead body” u refer to has a name, “William David Namahoe”! He was my brother and loved by many people.
Stephen A. Gamino
Sick of it Already! That “dead guy” is someone’s son, brother & friend. You know nothing about him or what happened that caused him to fall. How dare you post something so callous and uncaring. I dare you to look at his 80 year old mother in her tearful eyes and make these hurtful comments. This “dead guy” was an avid outdoorsman and experienced hiker. You know not one single thing about him and EVERY SINGLE THING that you wrote is pure speculation on your part. Also very misguided and in my opinion very narcissistic since you are looking at how this horrible situation is going to affect you. I am one of many, many friends that Billy has. We are grieving. We are in shock. We are suffering.
No matter what your hard-hearted, cold comments are, and how angry I am at you for your narrow minded thoughts, I still pray that your friends & family never have to grieve this loss or read such compassionless comments about you someday.
RIP Billy. You will always be genuinely loved & missed.
I agree, the punk who “is sick of it” is a classless fool! Would love to meet u in person so we could talk! I’ve known Bill since the 4th grade and we have been brothers for many years. I’ve spent the past two days at his mom’s house trying to make sense of this with his family. Bill was a good hearted person who loved his family, his friends, his dogs. He would help anyone with hard work or money if they needed. Shame on any of u who feel my brother’s death has inconvenienced u. As the person before mentioned, I would never wish this on anyone either. I know there are plenty of good hearted strangers who don’t agree with the words of some of these ignorant people. Please say a prayer for Bill.
We love you billy from all of us at the guard station Costco 172 179
We drivers love and miss you too Billy from the Costco fleet office 179
RIP BILLY. WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU BUDDY!
Billy was a great dude. All-around good person and is missed deeply. As a neighbor, you get to know a lot about a person and he was a rare breed in this ugly world. He was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Bill was a very experienced hiker. And God decided to bring him home during a time he was doing what he enjoyed most! Please have respect in posting about my brother thanks!jeffc.
Well,”sick of it already”,judging from your “likes and dislikes” on your 5 posts above,last count this morning 9-56,and sure to go up, think most of us are “sick of YOU already”.
But I and we know your type here.
You got what you wanted,that being stupid,insulting posts looking for negative attention,probably sitting in a room full of your guy-friends all laughing,patting you on the back with every word and when you hit the “send” button.
Here,let me do a profile of you.
You think you know everything about everything,especially anything to do with the outdoors and outdoor activities.the more “dangerous they are,the more you know..but in actuallity,your long,dangerous activities are with a bunch of guys laughing and snapping smart phone photos of eachother.
The “public land” thing,you feel this is all “your land” and should be able to do as you please,whenever and wherever you want,and that includes ATV riding,snowmobiles,motorcycles,mud-bogging and any other “macho-type” sport you and your probably annoying guy friends do,along with their smart phones…every inch of land should be open to your hobbies.If there are signs up in areas that say “closed to motorized traffic” or “no trespassing”,no problem,your entitled and you’ll either tear the sighs down and/or go around them.
Whatever you can’t do or get around,such as these COVCID-19 closures,it’s Gov. Newsome’s and the Liberals fault,ruining Inyo and Mono Counties,along with me..trying to “take your land as well as your guns away”.
When your not outside doing these highly dangerous sports and feats that others(the stupid ones) shouldn’t be doing besides you and the other “experts”,your at home watching some National news outlet telling you how to think,what to believe and what to say.
The COVID-19 it’s all about you.The elderly,the sick or vulnerable should just stay home,and not get in your way and stay out of your way if they’re worried about anything.You should be able to do as you please,wherever,whenever you want, since your in tremendous physical shape and vulnerable to nothing.
I could go on,with your type,but that about covers a lot of it.don’t you think?
.I’ve got an idea.Since you say the Liberals (and me) have “ruined” the Owens Valley and Mono County, and if your “sick of it already”how about you moving away to somewhere else?…I’ve done it when I lived in a State and area I didn’t like…you can do it too.Judging how you write and feel,and how others think about what your saying,we’d all be better off if you did…including yourself.
You’ll have to excuse me…even though I’m “independently wealthy”,like you stated,still gotta go to work and make sure my hundreds of employees are doing their jobs and making me more money.
After all,MY money and MY fun is all that matters now.
Sorry DDennison, I’m a Grandma, (not a transgender either!) you who knows all and sees all. Thanks for all your assumptions about me and my opinions, that says a lot about you, and everything you hate. My opinions aren’t formed by what people like you think, or actually what anybody else thinks.
No offense to this Kemo person’s family and friends, sorry for your loss.But falling 300 feet to your death is evidence of risky behavior, which then required a huge response from law enforcement and public agencies, which then cascades down on the rest of us.
Its obvious from your posts that you think you are smarter than everyone else, and you don’t fail to make ignorant and insulting posts at a constant level.
MAGA from GMA
His name is Kemo, to his friends. Last person in the world to harsh anyone’s mellow…If you’re burdened by the events surrounding his passing, chill. You will have ample time to backcountry explore the beautiful terrain of his final scene.Rest in Peace, Kemo…
To all you people out there, I knew this guy he was a very nice guy always went hiking .yeah he had an accident in death valley national Park but he’s not stupid never was stupid .Yes he made a mistake Yes he should have stayed at home but he went hiking because that’s what he loves to do and for the guy who said thanks dead guy for closing the park the man has family and he has friends and they don’t need to hear that from people like you, and he’s not stupid and I don’t want to ever hear anybody calling him stupid especially people who come up and say stupider he was a good man and he will be missed
Oh David Dennison,
do you have a problem with Trump? I’m sure you think he hatched the virus all by himself. I wonder what a liberal like you is doing up here in God’s country. People like you have ruined Inyo and Mono County. Like Mono says, none of these people is hospitalized. We haven’t had any new cases for days. Why shouldn’t people who aren’t vulnerable to dying from the disease get back to normal? Why shouldn’t those vulnerable isolate themselves and leave the rest of us alone?
Go to New York states website to see data on deaths by age group and COMORBIDITY. That’s a big word, do you know what it means? Do you care? According to that site 87% of deaths are comorbid.
ok boomer. bet you’ve got a homemade trump sign in your front dirt.
Mono Person
You sound more and more like trump with each of your posts.
So you want to wait until the pandemic hits Inyo and Mono Counties hard,with deaths before you start to realize there’s a problem ?
Is this an Inyo and Mono County “hoax” or some kind of conspiracy ?
Or maybe it’s “just the flu” and will “magically go away when the weather warms up ”
Oh,I know…let’s start getting business’ and the economy up and running right away,allowing those less vulnerable to dying from the disease back to work ASAP…
And let’s get these Church’s full of worshipers this coming Easter Sunday.
I’m sure your thinking is “the loss of the economy is worse than the disease itself”
Like duckhead says….get a clue…you sure don’t sound like a “Mono person ” to me.
I’m actually a libertarian, so this whole government intervention into my life is kinda hard on me. Relax the name calling…
Dear Mono Person,
Two words.
Hospital capacity.
Get a clue.
There is no one with Coronavirus in Mammoth Hospital – what about the Inyo Hospital? What about those ships docked? Hardly any beds used.
Oh, and try to be nice. We all have a difference of opinion.
JUST FOR EVERYONES INFORMATION: this happens to be a close family friend!! For all you so called people that have any kind of compassion.. KEEP YOUR RUDE DISGUSTING comments to yourself. Think of it as if this was one of your loved ones. Have some respect PLEASE for his family and friends. No one was there to know why he chose that route or what was going on in his mind, but I can say this.. it was TRAGIC HORRIFIC ACCIDENT, and unfortunately it happened at the worst time in all of our lives. Think about his friends and family, especially his elderly mother that won’t even be able to give him a proper burial. This man was minding his business doing what he loved and unfortunately one wrong move cost him his life. ITS SAD, not stupid! Have some compassion and put yourselves in the families shoes! Bet you will think twice then.
Dear Duckhead, No one in Inyo County that tested positive for Covid is hospitalized, all were sent home. Not sure @ Mono, but I think they are all home too. Most of us locals figure Covid already made its first pass through Mammoth in early February. Of course no one knows because the hospital is refusing to test people. They are also not testing us for antibodies to see if we have already been infected and recovered.
I say if you are afraid, YOU stay Home, and leave the rest of us out of it.
I bet there is a lot more deaths last year at this time than this time of year, just due to us staying home. But we also need to take into consideration, was it economically worth it? And it is not black and white – money vs. death. There are a lot of causes of death and we have stalled an entire economy to stop one form of death. Think about it.
One stupid falls off a rock and the rest of us can’t even backcountry camp in Death Valley, thanks dead guy!
The fact is, people fall off rocks, cliffs, even walking across flat ground all the time. It’s a leading cause of injury in people. How many times have we read a story about a climber, a hiker, or someone just out for a nice day in the outdoors. falling and being seriously injured or killed? It doesn’t make these people stupid nor is it proof of Darwin’s “survival of the fittest,” or any other such nonsense. And no, the death of the “One stupid (sic)” falling off a rock has nothing to do with why the rest of us are asked to not be outside, outdoors, or out in the wilderness right now.
Sorry, Charles, you need to clear your head. Falling off a rock is stupid. Falling off a rock when you are by yourself (even stupider) ever hear about the buddy system? That guy made a stupid decision to climb the rock. If it wasn’t stupid, he would be alive. Or let me qualify that, maybe it was stupid, but if he beat the odds and survived, then could tell about it later. No, we don’t hear very often about people walking on flat ground and falling and killing themselves. If you, being a newsperson, have a lot of those stories, please post them ASAP so I can feel foolish.
To take on a task in the outdoors that you are not fit, experienced, or outfitted enough to survive IS STUPID. If you then have an accident, then that may be an oh well, sht happens moment.
Being outside and outdoors in Inyo County is probably the safest and healthiest place to be, We have plenty of open space, and no one else has to breath our air, easy to stay miles apart. Have you gone crazy?
As far as being in the wilderness, if one chooses, and isn’t stupid and getting hurt or dead (at least to provoke a response) that’s a personal choice. It isn’t up to you to decide if someone has a right to be in the backcountry. I am hoping we have some good lawsuits coming out of this Covid lockdown situation, cause last time I checked this is still a free country.
Oh, and I am glad for your response, but I certainly did not mention Darwin or survival of the fittest. Again as a newsperson, you should be aware of the preponderance of search and rescue and/or body recoveries, especially from Mt. Whitney, in recent years. Most often inexperienced, unprepared people, who somehow think they can perform very difficult feats at high altitude, or hike Death Valley in the summer with a quart of water…
Just a note for you, people can and do die while walking on flat ground. I have a perfect example, my husband bumped his knee on our truck and it caused him to pass out and bash his head on an asphalt parking lot in the city. It was a fluke accident that no one could’ve seen coming, and the only thing that saved him was that we were in a city and could rush him to a hospital. Shit happens, people hike alone because some of us like the solitude because sometimes being alone is just better. Stop being so narrow minded and judgemental, you don’t know anyone’s story but your own. You still have plenty of places to go around here if you want.
The main thing is, this story is not about you, it’s about Bill. I’m sorry for his family’s loss, losing someone so quickly is such a shock it’s hard to deal with, especially during such a strange time as we’re in. I hope he enjoyed his last hours on earth, as I’m sure he did since he was doing something that he loved.
You do realize that this person’s family is able to read this, don’t you? How selfish must one be to have such a pathetic view of this person’s death. I sincerely hope you find some sort of peace in your life because speak like one who has none.
“Sick of it Already”
So you think they closed down Death Valley National Park because a climber fell to his death off of a cliff ?..come on,man..”the rest of us ” ?, and me,me,me ?
Have you been watching the news lately”
It’s probably because the mass exodus of SoCal people that were and are coming up here to Inyo County ,turning our area into a massive campground,with their big city thinking, they are “safer” here than in L.A. where they live.
Those areas are now being closed….
Death Valley
Alabama Hills
BLM land
LADWP land
Buttermilks
USFS campgrounds
Eastern Sierra Trout season postponed
Inyo County and it’s low population are,for the most part and the majority are following the guidelines and have no COVID-19 deaths….so far..
That’s the way we want to keep it..
Areas that are closed are where tourist go. There’s still plenty of places to get outdoor. Now get off the web and go walk your dog.
Butermilk
I was born and raised in Bishop, and everyone called it the Buttermilks, or even *gasp* the ‘Milks when I was growing up. Calling the area – or more specifically the plural boulders – ‘Buttermilk’ sounds weird. Get over it.
“Mass exodus” ? “Big city thinking” ? Have you seen the highways/freeways lately ? They’re barren parking lots…And as far as your Big city thinking, I’d bet that probably more than half of the population of Mono/Inyo counties weren’t born there, meaning being a transplant doesn’t make you a country boy/girl. And another thing , WITHOUT the people from the “big city” , the Owens Valley would fold like a house of cards. Quit shaming the ones that buy your gas, eat at your restaurants , spend $$ in your shops, and rent your hotel rooms. I’ll tell you what, close down Northbound 395 in June to block off the big city thinkers , and we’ll see how much disdain you have for the $$ that runs your country bumpkin economy .
HB man
If not another SoCaler came up to this area,personally,it wouldn’t effect my job or income one red cent..
You state your “highways/freeways “are barren parking lots.
Well,yeah,judging from areas up here now,there’s nobody down there anymore…there all up here”visiting” and “spending their money” ( where? ).
Sounds to me,you don’t have much respect or liking for us “country bumpkins” living here.
Well,fine with me,and judging from the “thumbs up” there I got on my post ,fine with others too.and an easy solution to that.
With your attitude about us living here,Don’t come up here and have to deal with us anymore.
They got mountains,creeks,lakes and rivers down there.Visit them..
There’s nice tourists and there’s not so nice tourists we deal with.
Guess which one of those you are ?
Dear Dennison, Are you retired? On the dole? Or a government drone (same as on the dole)? Give it up. Dennison isn’t any old time Inyo name, so? Are you independently wealthy?Or what? Ever heard the term public lands? Death Valley, forest service, and BLM are public lands. Not just for you independently wealthy Inyo County residents that think they can tell everyone else to go away.