Loneliness likely too much to bear for
missing man
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January 2, 2013 |
The man who sheriff's deputies and search and
dive rescue members have spent two days looking
for up Smith Creek likely died of loneliness,
authorities say.
The search for his next of kin has ended; the
last living relative they can find, his mother,
died two years ago.
Based on notes and letters found in his home,
Richard Corday, 66, who had never been married,
lost his will to live when his last companion,
the dog he loved, was killed in what he believed
was a cougar attack.
"By the letters we found, that was the primary
reason he decided he had nothing left to live
for," said Boundary County Chief Deputy Sheriff
Rich Stevens.
Those letters, Stephens said, were addressed to
the sheriff's office.
"I think he wanted someone to know why,"
Stephens said, "and we were the only people he
had left to tell."
According to Stephens, Corday apparently walked
from his home to Smith Creek Hydro on Sunday,
December 30, the date annotated on the most
recent letter found.
"He left us letters telling us where he would be
found," Stephens said.
While making the morning rounds Monday, A Smith
Creek Hydro employee found a fanny pack on the
bank, and saw tracks scrabbled to the top of the
falls. Deputies found pair of empty shoes at the
top.
While Marine 1 remains on the Kootenai River,
Stephens said none of the searchers think the
body has left Smith Creek, and that's where all
attention is focused as the search continues.
"We've slowed our efforts down," Stephens said,
"not because we don't want to find him, but
because we don't want to put anyone else in
danger."
He said that he's aware of all the people who
want to help, but he asks for restraint.
"We have the experts, the best trained people
available working to find Mr. Corday and bring
closure," he said. "We don't want to lose anyone
else."
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