From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Kim
James Kim
James Kim and AudioFile. He was best known for his "Lab Rats" seg-
ments, in which he reviewed the latest electronic gad-
gets. After leaving TechTV, he became a senior editor for
CNET, a technology trade journal, which he had joined in
2004. He wrote product reviews and co-hosted a weekly
podcast for CNET’s gadget blog, Crave. Prior to working
for TechTV, Kim had been a legal assistant at law firms
in New York and France; a media relations assistant for
baseball’s American League; and a script reader for Mira-
max Films.
Snowbound
James Kim with his two daughters
After spending the 2006 Thanksgiving holiday in Seattle,
Born August 9, 1971(1971-08-09) Washington, the Kims (James, Kati, and their two daugh-
ters, Penelope and Sabine) set out for their home in San
Died December 4, 2006(2006-12-04) (aged 35)
Josephine County, Oregon, U.S.A.
Francisco, California. On Saturday, November 25, 2006,
having left Portland, Oregon on their way to Tu Tu Tun
James Kim (August 9, 1971 – December 3–4, 2006) was an Lodge, a resort located near Gold Beach, Oregon, the Kims
American television personality and technology analyst missed a turnoff from Interstate 5 to Oregon Route 42, a
for the former TechTV international cable television net- main route to the Oregon Coast. Instead of returning to
work, reviewing products for shows including The Screen the exit, they consulted a highway map and picked a sec-
Savers, Call for Help, and Fresh Gear. At the time of his death ondary route that skirted the Wild Rogue Wilderness, a
he was working as a senior editor of MP3 and Digital remote area of southwestern Oregon.
Audio for CNET, where he wrote more than 400 prod- After encountering heavy snow at high elevation on
uct reviews. He also co-hosted a weekly video podcast Bear Camp Road, they turned, by mistake, onto one of
for CNET’s gadget blog, Crave, and a weekly audio pod- hundreds of unpaved logging roads supervised by the
cast, The MP3 Insider (both podcasts were co-hosted with Bureau of Land Management (BLM). A road gate intended
Veronica Belmont). to prevent such mistakes was open despite BLM rules re-
His disappearance and death, and his family’s ordeal, quiring that it be closed. Media outlets reported that van-
made them the subject of a brief but intense period of dals had cut a lock on the gate, but a subsequent inves-
news coverage in December 2006. tigation showed that BLM employees had left it open to
avoid trapping local hunters and others who might have
ventured past it.[5]
Early life Early on the morning of November 26, the family
Kim graduated from Ballard High School in Louisville, stopped due to fatigue and bad weather. As more snow
Kentucky[1] in 1989 and from Oberlin College in Ohio in fell around their immobilized Saab 9-2X station wagon,
1993 where he double-majored in Government and Eng- the Kims kept warm by running its engine. When the ve-
lish and played for the varsity lacrosse team.[2] Son of hicle ran out of fuel, they made a campfire of dried wood
Spencer H. Kim,[3] an aerospace company executive and and magazines. Later, they burned their car’s tires to sig-
internationalist,[4] Kim and his wife, Kati, owned two re- nal rescuers. Search efforts began shortly after Novem-
tail stores in San Francisco. ber 30, when coworkers of Kim filed a missing persons re-
port with the San Francisco Police Department.[6] After
investigators learned that the Kims used their credit card
Career at a local restaurant, search and rescue teams, including
James Kim was most widely known as a television person- local and state police, more than 80 civilian volunteers,
ality on the international cable network TechTV, where the Oregon Army National Guard and several helicopters
he was a senior technology analyst for TechTV Labs. He hired by Mr. Kim’s father, Spencer Kim, spent several
made frequent appearances testing new products for days looking for the family along area highways and
shows including The Screen Savers, Call for Help, Fresh Gear, roads, to no avail.
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Kim
On December 2, James Kim left his family to look for 123°43′25″W / 42.645575°N 123.723575°W / 42.645575;
help, wearing tennis shoes, a jacket, and light clothing. -123.723575 (Location of Kim’s Body)) Lying on his back
He believed the nearest town (Galice) was located four in one to two feet of icy water, he was fully clothed and
miles away after studying a map with his wife.[7] He had been carrying a backpack which contained his iden-
promised his wife he would turn back the same day if he tification documents, among other miscellaneous
failed to find anyone, but he did not return.[8] items.[14] He had walked about 16.2 miles (26 km) from
the car to that point, and was only a mile from Black Bar
Search Lodge, which, although closed for the winter, was fully
stocked at the time. An autopsy revealed that Kim had
Although the Kims had a cellular phone with them, their died due to hypothermia and that his body had suffered
remote location in the mountains was out of range of the no incapacitating physical injuries. The medical examin-
cellular network, rendering the phone unusable for voice er who performed the autopsy guessed that Kim had died
calls. Despite being unusable for voice calls, their cell roughly two days after leaving the vehicle.[14][15]
phone would play a key role in their rescue. Cell phone
text messages may go through even when there appears Route
to be no signal, in part because text messaging is a store- Because of Mr. Kim’s background as a technology analyst,
and-forward service. Two Edge Wireless engineers, Eric observers speculated that the family had used online
Fuqua and Noah Pugsley, contacted search and rescue au- mapping to find their route.[16] However, Mrs. Kim told
thorities offering their help in the search. On Saturday, state police that they had used a paper road map,[17] an
December 2, they began searching through the data logs account supported by the Oregon State Police, which re-
of cell sites, trying to find records of repeaters to which ported that the Kims had used an official State of Ore-
the Kims’ cellphone may have connected. They discov- gon highway map.[18] Mrs. Kim later recounted that, af-
ered that on November 26, 2006 at around 1:30 a.m., the ter they had been stuck for four days and were studying
Kims’ cellphone made a brief automatic connection to a the map for help, both she and Mr. Kim noticed that a box
cell site near Glendale, Oregon, and retrieved two text in the corner of the map bore the message: "Not all Roads
messages. Through the data logs, the engineers deter- Advisable, Check Weather Conditions."[19]
mined that the cell phone was in a specific area west of Bear Camp Road is lightly used between October and
the cellular tower. They then used a computer program April, even by local residents, due to its difficult terrain,
to determine which areas in the mountains were with- spotty maintenance, steep drop offs and often inclement
in a line-of-sight to the cellular tower. This narrowed the weather.[20] As they drove along the road, the Kims
search area tremendously, and finally focused rescue ef- passed three prominent warning signs that state: "Bear
forts on Bear Camp Road.[9] Camp Rd. May Be Blocked By Snowdrifts."[21] Mrs. Kim
On the afternoon of December 4, John Rachor, a local later told police that they had noticed only one warning
helicopter pilot unaffiliated with any formal search ef- sign.
fort, spotted Mrs. Kim and her two daughters walking on
a remote road. After he radioed the family’s position to
authorities, the three were airlifted out of the area and Media
transferred to a nearby hospital.[10] The Kim family’s ordeal became a lead story on most ma-
Law enforcement officials said that the discovery of jor U.S. news networks, even amidst breaking news of the
the cellphone connection, and the subsequent analysis of Iraq Study Group’s recommendations on America’s war
the log data, was the critical breakthrough that ultimate- in Iraq. MSNBC.com reported one million page views on
ly resulted in the rescue of Kim’s wife and daughters by the story, making it the top story in the hours after Mr.
helicopter.[9] Kim’s body was found. CNN.com reported twice as many
page views that afternoon as the Iraq story.[22] Within a
Death week Mr. Kim and family appeared on the cover of People
magazine. Newspapers in the region, led by The Oregonian
Officials continued to search for Mr. Kim, at one point and the San Francisco Chronicle, devoted heavy coverage to
finding clothing that he had discarded along the way in the events and their aftermath.
the likely belief that he was too hot; paradoxical undress- On January 6, 2007, The Washington Post published an
ing being one of the symptoms of hypothermia. Optimist- op-ed article written by Spencer Kim, James Kim’s father,
ic Oregon officials stated, "These were placed with our criticizing various government entities that had, in his
belief that little signs are being left by James for anyone estimation, played roles in his son’s death. The elder Kim
that may be trying to find him so that they can continue blamed the BLM for not locking the gate to the logging
into the area that he’s continuing to move in."[11] road; privacy laws that he claimed had delayed the start
On Wednesday, December 6 at 12:03 p.m., Mr. Kim’s of search and rescue efforts; local authorities for "confu-
body was found in Big Windy Creek.[12][13] (42°38′44″N
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Kim
sion, communication breakdowns and failures of leader- 2006-09-27. http://web.archive.org/web/
ship" during the search; and the Federal Aviation Admin- 20060927095825/http://www.pacificcouncil.org/
istration for not keeping media aircraft out of the search interior.aspx?pageID=About&subID=31&itemID=7995.
area.[23] Retrieved 2006-12-07.
On February 18, 2007, a memorial service was held for [5] Sleeth, Peter (2006-12-14). "BLM left gate open on
James Kim at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.[24] road to Kims’ fate". The Oregonian. Archived from
On April 16, 2007, The Oregonian was awarded the 2007 the original on 2007-02-13.
Pulitzer Prize for a distinguished example of local re- http://web.archive.org/web/20070213175305/
porting of breaking news, presented in print or online or http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/
both, for their coverage of the Kim family story.[25][26] index.ssf?/base/news/
The staff of The Oregonian was lauded for "its skillful and 1166082943116310.xml&coll=7. Retrieved
tenacious coverage of a family missing in the Oregon 2007-06-05.
mountains, telling the tragic story both in print and on- [6] San Francisco Police Department (2006-11-30).
line." "SFPD:Missing Persons:Kim Family". San Francisco
On September 12, 2007, Kati Kim gave an exclusive in- Police Department. Archived from the original on
terview of the ordeal to UK blogging site DollyMix.[27] 2006-12-05. http://web.archive.org/web/
In December 2009, Kati Kim and her daughters made 20061205223442/http://www.sfgov.org/site/
a surprise appearance at a Christmas party being held police_index.asp?id=37978. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
by the membership of Josephine County Search and Res- [7] Peter Fimrite, Marisa Lagos (December 7, 2006).
cue.[28] "Kims thought they were only 4 miles from help".
In February 2011, the television show 20/20 aired a San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/
special 2-hour episode, "The Wrong Turn," which includ- cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/07/
ed interviews with Kati Kim.[29] BAGLKMRFBK7.DTL&feed=rss.news. Retrieved
In September 2011, the television show 20/20 aired a 2006-12-07.
second special 2-hour episode, "The Sixth Sense," which [8] David R. Anderson (December 4, 2006). "Update:
depicted the same story as in "The Wrong Turn".[30] Mom, daughters found; dad still missing". The
Oregonian. http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/
See also oregonian/index.ssf?/mtlogs/
olive_oregonian_news/archives/
• Bear Camp Road -- A road that figured prominently 2006_12.html#211894. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
in the ordeal. [9] ^ "Tragic End To Search For Missing Dad". CBS
News. December 6, 2006.
References http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/06/
national/main2232874.shtml. Retrieved
[1] "Missing father graduated from high school in 2007-12-06.
Louisville". Associated Press. December 6, 2006. [10] "Video: Rescuers find Kim family members; search
Archived from the original on 2007-11-02. continues for editor". CNet Networks.
http://web.archive.org/web/20071102061144/ http://news.com.com/1606-2-6140674.html.
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/ Retrieved 2006-12-04.
state/16172128.htm%E1%B8%B8. Retrieved [11] "Video: Searchers: We will find James Kim". CNET
2006-12-11. Networks. http://news.com.com/
[2] Janie Har and Larry Bingham (December 7, 2006). 1606-2-6141132.html. Retrieved 2006-12-06.
"James Kim’s love for family, friends left lasting [12] Alex Johnson, Alan Boyle (2006-12-06). "Distraught
impression with many". The Oregonian. rescue crews come up just short". MSNBC.
http://www.oregonlive.com/metro/oregonian/ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16070337/.
index.ssf?/base/news/ [13] "Body of Missing San Francisco Dad Found in
1165467322304590.xml&coll=7. Retrieved Oregon". Fox News. 2006-12-06.
2006-12-11. http://www.foxnews.com/story/
[3] Julia Prodis Sulek (December 7, 2006). "Deputy says 0,2933,234880,00.html.
Kim may have been dead only hours when found". [14] ^ "James Kim died of hypothermia, autopsy
San Jose Mercury News. reveals". CNET Networks. http://news.com.com/
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/ James+Kim+died+of+hypothermia%2C+autopsy+reveals/
mercurynews/16187541.htm. Retrieved 2100-1028_3-6141886.html. Retrieved 2006-12-08.
2006-12-07. [15] Jeff Barnard (2006-12-07). "Autopsy: Missing man
[4] "Mr. Spencer H. Kim". Pacific Council on died of hypothermia". Associated Press. Archived
International Policy. Archived from the original on from the original on 2006-12-16.
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Kim
http://web.archive.org/web/20061216225535/ [27] "Kati Kim breaks her silence to tell a story of
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/missing_family. survival"
Retrieved 2006-12-07. [28] "Searching with compassion, surviving with
[16] Leslie Fulbright (December 8, 2006). "Maps: grace". The Oregonian. December 18, 2009.
Internet travel directions need to be checked http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/
carefully". The San Francisco Chronicle. 2009/12/searching_with_compassion_surv.html.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/ Retrieved 2009-12-18.
2006/12/07/MNGTMMQTVO1.DTL. Retrieved [29] "Kati Kim’s story of surviving southern Oregon
2006-12-08. ordeal airs Feb. 11". Oregon Live. February 4, 2011.
[17] Jeff Barnard (December 6, 2006). "Missing San http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-
Francisco man found dead". Associated Press. news/index.ssf/2011/02/
http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2006/12/ kati_kims_story_of_surviving_southern_oregon_ordeal_airs_feb_
07/news/top_story/4aaa01_bodyfound.txt. [30] "Kati Kim’s story of surviving southern Oregon
Retrieved 2006-12-07. ordeal airs Feb. 11". Oregon Live. February 4, 2011.
[18] "Update: Information Discussed During December 6 http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-
10 a.m. Media Briefing on Search for James Kim". news/index.ssf/2011/02/
Oregon State Police. December 6, 2006. kati_kims_story_of_surviving_southern_oregon_ordeal_airs_feb_
http://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=1002.
[19]
Retrieved 2006-12-07.
"In Kati Kim’s own words". Medford Mail Tribune.
External links
January 19, 2007. http://www.mailtribune.com/ • Google Earth Community View the area with Google
archive/2007/0119/local/stories/ Earth, with waypoints marked includes timeline of
kati_excerpts.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-19. events.
[20] Jaxon van Derbeken and Marisa Lagos (December 6, • JamesAndKati.com set up by friends and family of
2006). "Missing dad leaving clothing and map James Kim (Link provided by James’ former
markers". The San Francisco Chronicle. employer CNET)
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/ • Doe SF One of the stores owned and operated by the
12/06/BAGGTMQGS24.DTL. Retrieved 2006-12-07. Kims; now solely operated by Kati Kim.
[21] Drew Griffin (December 11, 2006). "Warning signs • Press Conference Video, December 4, 2006
marked Kim family’s journey". CNN. • Satellite re-routed
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/11/ • CNET’s Video Tribute to James Kim and family
griffin.oregon. Retrieved 2006-12-11. • James Kim Technology Foundation Non-profit fund
[22] Garofoli, Joe (December 7, 2006). "SFGate.com: A that assisted San Francisco public schools with
Family’s Tragedy Gripping Story: It was tracked by providing access to technology. It is no longer
millions". San Francisco Chronicle. accepting donations but refers visitors to other San
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/ Francisco area organizations.
2006/12/07/ • Obituary in the Herald and News
MNGTMMR4IU1.DTL&hw=james+kim&sn=014&sc=502. Persondata
Retrieved 2006-12-07. Name Kim, James
[23] Kim, Spencer H. (January 6, 2007). "Lessons In My
Son’s Death". Washington Post Co.. Alternative
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ names
content/article/2007/01/05/ Short description technical analyst and commenta-
AR2007010501736.html. Retrieved 2007-06-04. tor
[24] "Man honored for fatal bid to save family". Yahoo Date of birth August 9, 1971
News. Archived from the original on 2007-02-19.
Place of birth
http://web.archive.org/web/20070219093944/
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070218/ Date of death December 3 or 4, 2006
ap_on_re_us/missing_family. Retrieved Place of death Josephine County, Oregon, U.S.
2006-07-17.
[25] 2007 Pulitzer Prize award announcement from
pulitzer.org
[26] Announcement of award from oregonlive.com
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Kim&oldid=454948162"
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Kim
Categories:
• 1971 births
• 2006 deaths
• American bloggers
• American television personalities
• CNET Networks
• Deaths from hypothermia
• American people of Korean descent
• Oberlin College alumni
• People from Louisville, Kentucky
• People from San Francisco, California
• TechTV
• Villanova University alumni
• Accidental deaths in Oregon
• American technology writers
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