Home of Hiker’s Friend Searched

Riverside County sheriff’s officials investigating the disappearance of a 17-year-old hiker in Joshua Tree National Park searched the home of his hiking companion Thursday, and rescue efforts were suspended in what is now described as a criminal investigation.

Deputies obtained a warrant for the Carlsbad home of Ben Fogelstrom, 17, who was hiking with Eric Sears around the rugged Jumbo Rocks Campground and reported his friend missing on July 15.

Sheriff’s officials said they decided to search Fogelstrom’s home after interviewing more than 30 witnesses. Detectives gathered evidence at the home and questioned Fogelstrom and his family. No arrests were made.

Sgt. Earl Quinata, a sheriff’s spokesman, said Fogelstrom was not a suspect in the disappearance but declined to provide any information on the nature or results of the search.

The department launched a criminal investigation Monday after talking to other campers at the desert national park.

Cindy VonHalle, a spokeswoman for the National Park Service, said the official search team, once as big as 100, had ended its efforts by midday Wednesday because the leads had dried up.

“If there’s a reason to go out tonight, we would send people out,” she said. “But we just don’t have much to go on.”

The search location, about 10 miles southwest of Twentynine Palms, was 20 square miles marked by boulders and other rocky terrain that made searching difficult, especially with the heat topping 100 degrees.

The search crew set out on foot, on horseback, by helicopter and in four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Searchers found some of Sears’ tracks Sunday, and bloodhounds picked up his scent in several places, but the evidence could only be tracked a short distance.

Park rangers continued to assist deputies on emerging leads Thursday, VonHalle said, and will remain available to help if any new information arises.

“We’re all just still hoping something will turn out positive for the family,” she said.

Relatives and friends of Sears’ remained at the campsite, conducting their own search among the crevices and cliffs.

Sears is a recent high school graduate from Carlsbad who was to begin at San Diego State in the fall. He planned to study engineering.

The National Park Service closed the site to the public until 4 p.m. Thursday but allowed the family to remain.

The family was not giving up hope, said Sears’ uncle, Steven Sears.

He said his nephew, a track and cross-country runner whose 18th birthday is Tuesday, is an experienced hiker who has visited the campsite frequently over the last decade and is familiar with the rugged terrain.