Community Corner

Search For Missing Man Set For Wednesday

A ground search for a missing South Bay man is expected to begin at 8 a.m. today, said Mendocino County Sheriff's Capt. Greg Van Patten, public information officer.

Erik Lamberg, 51, whose wife and two children live in Hermosa Beach, was last seen Monday, May 27th at a Budget Inn in Laytonville. His abandoned van was found June 1st on a dirt road about 20 miles west of Willits, said Van Patten. 

Van Patten told Patch a sergeant and deputy conducted a search near the van where it was found on Sherwood Road. He described the area as "very remote" and said the two officers had to find a 4x4 vehicle to get to the van.

The van apparently had become stuck in mud, he said, adding that there was evidence Lamberg "made efforts to try to free it [the van] himself." Muddy footprints consistent with Lamberg's size were seen leading away from the van.

Wednesday's search will be conducted by the sheriff's all-volunteer search and rescue organization under the supervision of law enforcement. He was hopeful a bloodhound would be included.

Van Patten said law enforcement had "done a few limited searches" for Lamberg and used a P.A. system notification bullhorn without getting a response. He told Patch if someone doesn't want to be found, it is extremely difficult for searchers to find that individual, calling the area "a remote, rural part of the county." 

Lamberg's wife, Samantha Lamberg, of Hermosa Beach, told Patch on Tuesday she was trying to organize a ground search for her husband. "If they could have a volunteer effort to provide manpower and walk a radius out...," she said. "I don't know if he's injured... He's never had a great sense of direction."

Samantha last spoke with Erik Sunday, May 26th when he called to tell her his van had broken down. She said he had called AAA for a tow and they had yet to arrive. Sheriff's confirmed Erik's presence in Laytonville Sunday and Monday nights while he waited for an auto repair shop to open after the Memorial Day holiday. His credit card was last used to pay for his two-night stay at the Budget Inn.

Samantha became worried after she did not hear from Erik last week and called authorities who were unable to do anything until his van was found. She described the phone call from the sheriff's to inform her he had not been found but his abandoned van had as "emotional."

Van Patten said the "good citizen volunteers" in the search and rescue group are "really motivated." They will execute a "pre-planned" search "as long as it's safe for them." He said the terrain in the area requires trained searchers.

The searchers, wearing bright orange shirts, will look for signs of Lamberg. Samantha has said Erik might be suspicious of law enforcement and authorities due to recent conversations she has had with him. She's told authorities he's never shown violent tendencies and described him to Patch as "a softie, sensitive and very nurturing."

Lamberg is bipolar and had been driving to Oregon when his van broke down, said Samantha. He was first diagnosed in 2001.

Van Patten said someone can go without food for 10-14 days and without water in a "worst-case scenario, a few days," but more like 3-5 days. Samantha said she's been told there are springs in the area. 

A warming trend "coming through" was considered favorable for Lamberg's survival if he has indeed been out n the elements, said Van Patten.

The sheriff's encountered a situation some 18 months ago when they conducted a search and rescue operation with helicopters for 4-5 days in Trinity County for a missing man. When their efforts failed, family members went out a few days later to search and found him, said Van Patten.

He said search operations are launched on a "case by case basis. We have to have really good information that leads us to believe someone is in a certain area. We have to have a defined area."

Van Patten did not know if the search would continue after Wednesday and said that would be "decided upon at the conclusion of the search [Wednesday.

"I'm hopeful that we'll have good results," he said.


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