James Kim -- brief update

Just a brief update in case you haven't caught the latest: Crave reports that James and his family are driving a 2005 silver Saab station wagon with license plate "DOESF." The official missing person report can be found here. Officials investigating the case have narrowed their search to a stretch of Oregon's Highway 38, which is on the route that the family would most likely have taken to get to the Gold Beach motel where they had reservations.

We're tracking the situation at our post from yesterday, so that's the place to bookmark for now. We'll keep everybody updated as we learn more.

Also, our very sincerest thanks to all our readers -- many of whom obviously love CNET and James's work there -- for their support and compassion. We're all hopeful the Kim family will return safely soon.

[Fred @ Dec 1st 2006 8:29PM]

James is a part of this community....geeks, techies, whatever...it would be strange if we didn't do everything we could to find them.
As a former police pilot, I can tell you that I have spent hundreds of expensive hours looking for missing blacks and hispanics, mostly poor, despite your assertions that no one cares. Just because a missing person doesn't make national news doesn't mean lots of locals aren't looking for them.

[Andy @ Dec 1st 2006 8:15PM]

I partially agree with the white girls missing, and I think the one about the lost girl in the Caribbean was just an embarrassing media stunt.

That said, this guy is well-known in the gadget community, and all these people kinda know him. Some of them are colleagues, and it's only natural that so many people are worried, especially about the little children.

About the cops, well, at least they're searching for someone, when they can't search for everyone. Not saying who's worth more being searched for, but this particular case should be less hard, since so many people know him.

[Deluxe @ Dec 2nd 2006 1:45AM]

Are you saying the internet is wonderful and perfect? I think it is you who needs a reality check.

[Jonathan Wong @ Dec 2nd 2006 3:15AM]

"oh no I have offended some Internet geek I feel so bad. Maybe you should get away from your computer for a little while and see the real world where things aren't all wonderful and perfect."

I wouldn't say the internet is perfect. Afterall we still have to put up with assholes like you.

[jabbathehutt @ Dec 2nd 2006 4:59AM]

I really liked James Kim's unbaised approach towards journalism. While everyone else (including Engadget) were having a swell time poking fun at the Zune, only he (and Extremetech) did a neutral assessment of the beleaguered player.

[Ryan @ Dec 1st 2006 6:21PM]

Thank you for the Update. - I have posted this on my blog as well, and sent it to Leo Laporte who also posted it on his blog. I just checked CNet and they finally have a big picture up of it on the Main Site. Please keep us posted. Prayers are with all of them.

[Ben @ Dec 1st 2006 5:21PM]

You and Yours are in my prayers!

[Garry @ Dec 1st 2006 9:25PM]

Get home safely, James. Our hearts and our prayers go out to you and your family. I sincerely hope that you guys are ok.

[Nicholas Moline @ Dec 1st 2006 5:45PM]

This is a terrible situation, it is made even more terrible because people, especially entire families, don't just disappear off the face of the earth! Something strange has happened. The SFPD has to be able to find something, nobody just disappears without a trace. Lets all hope for the best!

[Reality Check @ Dec 1st 2006 5:23PM]

Someone like him, a technophile who kept in constant contact with family and friends through tech devices, would not have gone five days without letting someone know where he was. Something terrible has almost certainly happened.

Local residents said the area they were driving through was known to have difficult terrain, especially in the bad weather they were having.

Also puzzling is that the last phone call he made was from a land line phone, not his cell phone.

Hopefully the search helicopters will be able to find the vehicle.

[olly @ Dec 1st 2006 5:34PM]

When you realize that Hwy 38 is notiorious for zero Cell reception, you understand why he probably called from a landline. Usually when I've taken that route, the only time I've gotten reception with ANY carrier is spotty Verizon reception, and analog when it was still active. There's a good 50 mile stretch through winding roads where communication is non-existant.

I hope this works out, I sincerely do.

-olly

[raaaaaa @ Dec 1st 2006 5:12PM]

why is this not on cnets main site?

[Josh Ragusa @ Dec 2nd 2006 3:44PM]

It is...go to cnet.com its right there in the middle...or the crave blog, or the message boards...

[Mike Browning @ Dec 1st 2006 5:23PM]

It is now.

[CS @ Dec 2nd 2006 9:05AM]

raaaaaa what is your damage, it has been up on CNET all day.

Now it is even up there twice.

Remove stick from rear and pull out head.

[raaaaaa @ Dec 1st 2006 6:53PM]

why is this not on cnets main site?

[Elliott Asbury @ Dec 1st 2006 5:44PM]

I'm headed to the OR coast from PDX in a few hours and will be driving around down there all weekend. I'll keep my eyes open. My thoughts and prayers go out to James and his family.

[Zyph @ Dec 1st 2006 6:16PM]

Nothing strange here, but terribly unfortunate yes. More than likely their vehicle slid off an embankment into a ravine fill with dense foliage.

[ups767300 @ Dec 1st 2006 6:29PM]

I hope they are ok, The fact that the last call was made from a land line gives me a bad feeling.

[mukaidaf @ Dec 1st 2006 9:22PM]

Oregon 38 is a beautiful drive, but it can be very dangerous. i've driven it many times (i live on the coast). last weekend, a woman died after slamming into a tree that fell right in front of her. part of the road goes along the Umpqua river, and you could slide right into it. we also had freezing weather recently, so there's also the possibility of black ice. i hope they are ok.

[Gluk @ Dec 1st 2006 7:55PM]

I just hope that they decided to go for some unplanned R&R, and that everybody is OK.

Here's to hoping they show up tomorrow morning.

[JimK @ Dec 1st 2006 8:49PM]

I hate people who are compelled to post nasty, negative stuff in threads like this. patrick, go die in a fire.

[K @ Dec 1st 2006 9:40PM]

this is on the front page of cnet.com

[Philip @ Dec 1st 2006 9:58PM]

The story is on the Drudge Report now.

[dixon @ Dec 1st 2006 10:33PM]

Doesn't the Saab have OnStar GPS--wonder if they try tracking the car that way.

[sharon @ Dec 2nd 2006 12:59PM]

I;m a local resident. This story is most similar to the last fall when a family disappeared traveling grants Pass to "the coast". No cell, no credit cards use, no sightings. They had taken the "scenic" route from Glendale(on I-5) into the Rogue River wilderness area. Elevation goes to 4000 feet, no turnarounds, narrow and completely empty! It is a lovely trip to Gold Beach in the summer! They were not found, but hiked out, meeting Forest Service workers part way and leading them back to Motor home on snowmobiles. Many years ago a salesman traveling to Medford from Coos Bay in opposit direction was found dead in his vehicle in spring by snowmobilers. He also got caught in the first storm of the years but waited for rescue. A large search had been mounted for him also. This area requires on-the-road search! But apparently heros belong to another era. If my husband wasn't 73 he would be one of first going in, and back out.

[Ratchet the Lombax @ Dec 2nd 2006 2:08PM]

hope everything works out for the best.

[Seth @ Dec 3rd 2006 10:51AM]

Maybe james is avoiding everyone in chances of starting over.

[Errin @ Dec 3rd 2006 11:46AM]

I will continue to hold the highwatch for the safe return of this beautiful family.

[JD @ Dec 3rd 2006 11:26AM]

My prayers go out to these people.

It looks like friends and family have set up a website. http://www.jamesandkati.com/

On the news last night they said police had ruled out foul play, but didn't give any additional information.

[jonvideo @ Dec 3rd 2006 5:33PM]

Most likely he was using a car GPS, like Tomtom or Garmin,
Could it be that the GPS sent him down a wrong road? Its happend to me before. Have the police thought of driving the route following the GPS directions with a couple different GPS units in the car, and see were it takes them? It may yeild some answers.

[Benson @ Dec 4th 2006 6:55PM]

Katie, Penelope and Sabine were found alive and have been airlifted to the hospital. James took off by foot two days ago to get help. They are currently tracking him.

http://news.com.com/Wife%2C+daughters+of+missing+CNET+editor+found+alive/2100-1028_3-6140118.html?tag=cnetfd.mt