Devastating news

[nicholsong]

I do not want anything I write here to distress Dan, but I think what I say will have already passed through his mind so will not be a surprise.

I think the search teams have already done a good job on her intended route and not found her.

There is the possibility that she changed her walking plans, so they were not looking in the right place.

Other than that I think that she is still alive and knowingly, or unknowingly because of some mental change maybe as a result of an accident, she is not making any contact.

My half-brother disappeared from view in Canada. Our Mother could not contact him. Eventually the Salvation Army were able to find him and he informed them that he did not want any further contact.

I am not saying that this is the case here, but it is an example of a missing person still being alive and out of reach for whatever reason. That is still distressing for their nearest, but it might be comforting to know that they were still alive.

For Dan, if you are reading this it is meant in the most caring way and I hope that you find some answer.

Geoff

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

I was so hoping to find some good news.
My heart goes out to Esther where ever she is and all her loved ones.
People need to stop trying to dream things up about people & events they know nothing about and concentrate on wishing her home safe & well.

 

[Camper634]

I was so hoping to find some good news.
My heart goes out to Esther where ever she is and all her loved ones.
People need to stop trying to dream things up about people & events they know nothing about and concentrate on wishing her home safe & well.

That's my thoughts as well.

 

[movan]

Been away from forum. Came back hoping that there would be good news on this thread.

 

[Fenman]

Sadly absolutely nothing at all.

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[Jake vE]

I just spotted this interview with Dan in the news

Boyfriend of missing backpacker shares their final texts and theories on mystery

Boyfriend of missing backpacker shares their final texts and theories on mystery

EXCLUSIVE: In a heartbreaking first newspaper interview since the 37-year-old Oxford graduate vanished, Dan Colegate described her disappearance as 'excruciating'

www.mirror.co.uk

 

[CazPaul]

Still a total mystery with no clues, please let her be found safe.

 

[Brains]

Todays update
No real news
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-55615502

 

[chaser]

Well that's uncanny, I just put a post up is there any news and this thread appeared at the same time.

 

[Fenman]

The Mirror article also made it's way onto Sky News.

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[glenn2926]

Is the search still suspended awaiting better weather?

 

[Fenman]

Is the search still suspended awaiting better weather?

I believe so but it may be that enquiries could be made if any clues turn up.

 

[Podney]

I haven’t followed this closely,but it does seem absolutely amazing that they cannot find her...............more to the point,they can’t find any trace whatsoever of her...or the vehicle. Have I got that wrong?

It is impossible to imagine the heartache that her friends and family are suffering.

 

[old-mo]

.more to the point,they can’t find any trace whatsoever of her...or the vehicle. Have I got that wrong?

I understand they found the vehicle parked up in a little town..

 

[68c]

I understand they found the vehicle parked up in a little town..

Are you referring to her motorhome, on which the Police are doing forensic checks, or the vehicle used by the person who is believed to have given her a lift?

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[old-mo]

Are you referring to her motorhome, on which the Police are doing forensic checks, or the vehicle used by the person who is believed to have given her a lift?

Referring to her motorhome...

I think it is all speculation about getting a lift in a car.. Until proven...

 

[old-mo]

My thoughts....

The M-home is perfectly driveable, and she can drive, and drove it to where it was found.... so why get in a strangers car unless previously arranged ??

If it was arranged, and if it was her supposedly seen to get into a car...

She seems a switched on lady who has done a fair bit of travelling, and I would of thought not likely to just get into any persons car...

A lot of unproven stories being bounced about.... As usual...

 

[TheBig1]

My thoughts....

The M-home is perfectly driveable, and she can drive, and drove it to where it was found.... so why get in a strangers car unless previously arranged ??

If it was arranged, and if it was her supposedly seen to get into a car...

She seems a switched on lady who has done a fair bit of travelling, and I would of thought not likely to just get into any persons car...

A lot of unproven stories being bounced about.... As usual...

She parked and walked miles up through a mountain pass, spent the night up there and then vanished. Maybe the stranger offered to drive her back to the place the motorhome is parked. Maybe she stumbled onto drugs being trafficked between Spain and France. Or possibly terrorists heading north, but only she knows what happened right now and speculating on what happened helps nobody and is basically idle gossip. The above 3 possible situations have been mentioned before along with other disgusting opinions

All we know for a fact is that she remains missing along with the kit she carried with her despite professional searches including specialist dogs. We need to hope and pray that she is alive and safe some place

 

[chaser]

She parked and walked miles up through a mountain pass, spent the night up there and then vanished. Maybe the stranger offered to drive her back to the place the motorhome is parked. Maybe she stumbled onto drugs being trafficked between Spain and France. Or possibly terrorists heading north, but only she knows what happened right now and speculating on what happened helps nobody and is basically idle gossip. The above 3 possible situations have been mentioned before along with other disgusting opinions

All we know for a fact is that she remains missing along with the kit she carried with her despite professional searches including specialist dogs. We need to hope and pray that she is alive and safe some place

I thought the car she had a lift in is known and the driver interviewed and someone saw her afterwards.

 

[chaser]

This is from post 149

Missing Esther Dingley's secrets, by the last man to see her alive

EXLCLUSIVE: When he saw Esther Dingley heading up the mountain road from the village of Benasque, Jose Antonio Ballarin wasn't sure whether or not to stop his car.

www.dailymail.co.uk

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[Armytwowheels]

I thought the car she had a lift in is known and the driver interviewed and someone saw her afterwards.

That is how I understand it too. The lift with a stranger did not happen on the day she disappeared.

 

[old-mo]

The above 3 possible situations have been mentioned before along with other disgusting opinions

A lot of unproven stories being bounced about.... As usual...

Hence my remark above.

No one knows, so all speculation and guesses should be muted...

 

[nicholsong]

Hence my remark above.

No one knows, so all speculation and guesses should be muted...

Agreed. That is why I have been quiet, although one idea I have is still rather prosaic.

Geoff

 

[movan]

Those videos, chaser, made it all very REAL didn't they.

nicholsong, I don't mean on here, but if anyone has any ideas maybe there is some way they can be expressed to the police in case they offer alternative help? I don't know. Just feel so sad as I guess anyone who is a parent does too.

 

[TheBig1]

Sadly more is coming out about this case

Missing hiker had love life problems says witness

Esther Dingley, 37, who vanished in the Pyrenees as she made her way to the summit of the Pic de Sauveguard mountain, had been 'taking a break' in her relationship, according to a witness.

www.dailymail.co.uk

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[Fenman]

I tend to only take notice of anything if it is endorsed by Dan. "Words put into mouthes" is the usual basis for newspaper output. And, sadly, these days from the once lauded BBC.

 

[Fenman]

Dan has posted the following fairly long piece on their Facebook page:

UPDATE:
Dear Friends,
Thank you for the continued messages of support that have been sent. Although I am not able to reply to all of them, every message I've received has helped me in the moment I have read it. Thank you all.
Many of you have asked me for an update regarding the investigation into Esther's disappearance. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this message, there has been no sign of Esther.
As most of you already know, following an extensive and detailed search of the area surrounding Esther's route in the week after she was supposed to return from her hike, a criminal investigation was started in both France and Spain with the support of UK police.
As these investigations remain ongoing, I won't comment on the details of what has been shared with me by the lead investigators in terms of the activities they have taken and those they continue to undertake. If they wish to make any additional information public, it is for them to do so.
I have full faith that the teams involved are doing all they can. I understand the challenges they face due to the remote location Esther was last seen in and I am grateful for their commitment and continued efforts.
I have shared with the police my intention to return to the area Esther was last seen in as soon as travel restrictions allow me to do so and when the weather permits an effective re-search of that area. They have promised me their support in this.
Because of the intensity and large scope of the search already undertaken, Esther's habit of letting family know of route changes when possible, the nature of the terrain, the good phone signal in large parts of the area, the excellent weather at the time, and several other factors, I do not personally think that Esther had an accident.
Furthermore, those of you who know Esther personally already know of her determination, physical strength and almost-inhuman tolerance for discomfort. Even if she had a broken leg, I have no doubt she would have still gotten down the mountain somehow, never mind take action to make shelter and become visible. It was not that far to a road on either side of the peak she had walked up to and it was downhill all the way. Nor are there many places where she could have fallen and been difficult to find. Needless to say, those areas have already been searched closely. The chance she was somehow missed is vanishingly small.
In short, if Esther had had an accident, I firmly believe she would have been found quickly.
However, continuing to search is all I can do and so I will, if only to further rule out this possibility.
Regarding suggestions that Esther's disappearance was in some way voluntary, my response remains that she had neither the motive or means to do so. She hasn't accessed any funds or been seen anywhere, despite widespread press coverage. I am of course aware of the speculation in the media regarding our relationship, stoked by quotations from both police sources and people that met Esther during her time away. So far I have been loath to even engage with such salacious nonsense, believing that it was nobody else's business. All I will say here is that the police officers actually investigating her disappearance have full access to our communications which reflect the truth that our relationship is solid. Any comments to the contrary reflect a misunderstanding of that reality.
Esther and I have built an unconventional lifestyle, with occasionally unconventional demands on our relationship as a result. Like any couple, sometimes there is tension between us, especially when we do something physically demanding. That's why we work hard on our relationship and our communication. We believe a relationship is about two people supporting each other to reach their potential, a dance of individuality and togetherness. Over the years we've shared a lot of this in the public domain, in books and social media. Esther has also shared a lot of her own personal challenges and emotions. She really does wear her heart on her sleeve, with emotions passing through quickly.
Unfortunately, in the context of her going missing, it is far too easy for people to over-analyse words that were shared in the past, looking for messages and meaning that simply aren't there.
Even more importantly, Esther is highly intelligent and an experienced hiker. She's well aware what a search operation involves as we've seen several in action. The idea she would trigger that and put others at risk to get some time alone, rather than simply say "I need some time alone" is ridiculous to me.
All of which leads me to believe that somebody else has been involved in Esther's disappearance and against her will. This is a terrifying prospect and I wish I could believe otherwise, but I cannot.
There is a lot more I could say to support this belief, but the core fact is this. A happy, experienced, well-equipped and fit young women went missing in an area with clear paths and mostly open terrain. An intensive search found no sign of her, or any of her equipment. It is as though she vanished into thin air.
For those wishing to see more details about the area and the timeline of Esther's disappearance, I am reposting this link to a pdf file put together with the support of LBT.
https://tinyurl.com/estherdingleyinfo
All that matters to me and Esther's parents is finding her. We all still hold on to the thin hope that she might still come back to us safely.
Her face appears to me all the time, whether or not I am occupied with other things. I see her smile, hear her laugh, imagine the warmth and softness of her cheek and feel the touch of her hand. I still talk to her throughout the day.
In less than 2 weeks it will be our nineteen year anniversary. For almost 2 decades now we have shared almost everything, building a life together that was occasionally challenging but mostly full of joy and love. Without Esther, I cannot imagine my life ever having meaning again.
If anybody has any information about Esther, no matter how trivial it might seem, please contact:
LBT Global Hotline: +44 (0) 800 098 8485
WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7545 826 497
Email: delta.ops@lbt.global

 

[Armytwowheels]

Thanks for the update.

I did wonder if I should tell LBT about our email exchange shortly before she went missing. Although I assume they have had access to her communications history and would know that already. I have read her email to me several times and at no point, not one single word, in my opinion, did anything indicate that she was not happy or was not expecting to return.

As Dan has indicated that the police have reviewed her messages to him, is it safe to assume they have read her emails as well?

 

[StephandJohn]

Thanks for the update.

I did wonder if I should tell LBT about our email exchange shortly before she went missing. Although I assume they have had access to her communications history and would know that already. I have read her email to me several times and at no point, not one single word, in my opinion, did anything indicate that she was not happy or was not expecting to return.

As Dan has indicated that the police have reviewed her messages to him, is it safe to assume they have read her emails as well?

I think you should tell them in case they haven't done what you assume. You could have vital evidence!

 

[Armytwowheels]

I think you should tell them in case they haven't done what you assume. You could have vital evidence!

I doubt it, but it can do no harm to forward the emails to LBT.

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