Day/date: August 9, 1987


                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Search for Missing Ranger
Log number: 87-192
Date/time of incident: 8/8, all day  Date/time received: 8/9, 8 am
Park: Blue Ridge Parkway  Location: Milepost 13
Reported by: Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN (via Supernaugh, MARO)
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO

Summary:
M.N., a seasonal ranger in interpretation at Shenandoah, was last seen on
Wednesday, August 5th, the first of his two lieu days. He failed to show up
at work on Friday and again on Saturday, so the park began a search for him.
Entry was gained to his quarters, and a journal was found. The last entry
was on Wednesday; it indicated that M.N. was severely depressed and that
the entry might be his last. Subsequent conversations with family and friends
revealed that he has had a history of depression. His car was found late in
the afternoon at Milepost 13 on the Blue Ridge Parkway - 13 miles south of the
south entrance to Shenandoah. A hasty search of the area was conducted on
Saturday night, but without luck. The two parks were beginning a joint search
for M.N. on Sunday morning, employing 20 rangers from Shenandoah and an
unknown number from Blue Ridge, volunteers, dog teams, and Eagle I, the Park
Police helicopter from Washington.

M.N. is reportedly an excellent hiker, and hiked almost the entire
Appalachian Trail last year. He may be familiar with the area.

Persons involved:
Name                                 Address             DOB or age
M.N.                                 Unknown             Early 20"s