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SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Hope turned to grief Wednesday afternoon as news spread that James Kim had been found dead in the snow.
A Web site established for the Kim family by a friend posted that Kim had been found at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, noting that “we do not have word on his condition.” By 1:15 p.m., a second post announced that Kim was dead.
Kim’s wife, Kati, had been optimistic that morning, predicting her husband would be found, said Charlie Wright, a friend who works at Church Street Apothecary, one of two local businesses owned by the family.
She said people came into the store to tell Wright that Kim had been found alive. When she learned the truth, she said she was “devastated.”
The store closed early, as did the Kims’ other store, a boutique on Haight Street called Doe. Flowers and messages of comfort were left outside Doe’s shuttered doors.
Haight resident Barbara Saint, walking home from the store, stopped by the impromptu memorial, took a deep breath and then sat herself on the stoop to pray.
“It’s so very sad,” said Saint, who said she didn’t know the family, but appreciated the fact that the Kims had brought a “nice store” to the neighborhood.
At the South of Market office of CNET, where James Kim was a techology editor, work stopped on Wednesday as hundreds of employees, watching a live news broadcast, had their worst fears confirmed.
“We held out hope until the very end,” said CNET Chief Executive Officer Neil Ashe, who called the days since Kim and his family were reported missing “a heart-wrenching experience for everyone.”
Ashe commended the father and husband for being “nothing short of heroic” in attempting to bring his family to safety.
Outside CNET, employees, who were allowed to leave early, exited the building quietly, some alone, some in groups holding one another, many with tears still in their eyes. The company canceled its holiday party, scheduled for Wednesday evening.
“James was a wonderful family man, who was also a good friend and a great employee,” company spokeswoman Sarah Cain said. “It’s rough. We really thought there was going to be a good outcome.’’
Staff writer Adam Martin contributed to this report.
Comments from Examiner Readers
6:37 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 9, 2008 re: "Boonsboro mother, 5 children reported missing"
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10:05 PM MST on Fri., Dec. 28, 2007
re: "Father, three children found alive in California mountains"
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10:00 AM MST on Thu., Dec. 20, 2007
re: "Man Lost in Snow Stayed Strong for Kids"
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8:59 AM MST on Thu., Dec. 20, 2007
re: "Man Lost in Snow Stayed Strong for Kids"
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Examiner Reader said:
Sounds "fishy" to me that the husband had the charges against him and now his family and wife come up missing???
4 agree | 0 disagree
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Old Girl Scout said:
The ironic thing is that 45 years ago, even us urban Girl Scouts were taught to blaze a trail if we ever went into unfamiliar deep woods. Exercising that skill from the get-go would have kept this family out of their mess. But I seriously doubt any Girl (or Boy?) Scouts are taught trail blazing any more. But obviously, it can come in handy!
98 agree | 105 disagree
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Cliff said:
Lucky but really stupid. He came real close to being a statistic. Typical flatlanders who think they can come into the wilderness without any preparation and walk out. I see this stuff all the time and wonder how they survive being so stupid.
123 agree | 105 disagree
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Hence the reason said:
that you can get a christmas tree on every freakin corner. hopefully, they've learned their lessons and taught someone else a lesson too.
108 agree | 112 disagree
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