Kati Kim and children found, James Kim still missing

Kati Kim and the Kim children (Sabine and Penelope) were just found alive in Oregon; they apparently flagged down a search and rescue helicopter that was hunting for the missing family. James Kim is still missing, however. From what we understand he left two days ago in search of help. We do not yet know how deep in the Oregon wilderness the Kim family was, the circumstances that brought them there, or the condition of Kati and her children, although she and the children have been airlifted to a local hospital. More news as we get it.

For those unfamiliar, CNET editor James Kim and his family have been missing in Oregon for over a week now. All our previous coverage can be found here.

CNET has more information here. A press conference will be held at 5:00PM PST today. CNET TV is rebroadcasting that conference online. We will be liveblogging it here to keep you up to the minute with the latest Kim family updates.

Press conference updates: Apparently James's tracks were found for two miles leading away from their car, and followed along the side of a road, over a ridge and into a ravine. Choppers will continue the search through the night with night vision optics.

Kati and the children are reportedly in "very good shape." Carson helicopters, Randy Jones, and federal agencies had four ships in the air at all times, and were assisted by Edge Wireless's cell-tower hit model which helped locate the Kims' wireless signals. The search will continue with dogs, more choppers, and all possible resources 24x7. James is likely to have made it as far as 20 miles.

The Kims were stuck in the snow off a main road; for the last 8 days the family kept warm at night by running their car. Eventually the Kims burned tires at night when the gas ran out. James left his family at 7:45AM with the intention to return by 1:00PM that day, but obviously has not yet returned. Those concerned are encouraged to check FlashAlert.net for further updates.

Update (12/5): In another press conference this morning, we learned that while searching for James Kim in the Oregon wilderness heat traces were spotted with infrared cameras. Unfortunately those attempting to find James have been unable to get into the area where the heat traces were spotted, and unable to yet verify if this is James (or a woodland animal). Another press conference has been scheduled for 4:15PM PST today; we'll keep you up to the minute.

[Aaron @ Dec 4th 2006 6:14PM]

That's good news!

[syclick @ Dec 4th 2006 10:39PM]

YES!!!!

What a relief. While I'm still holding out for James to show up somewhere, I am so relieved that the kids and wife are ok.

Please, James, make it to safety.

[Meridimus @ Dec 4th 2006 6:16PM]

Nice! Hope he's found ok.

[Steve @ Dec 4th 2006 6:17PM]

I'm glad they're okay.

[Spiderman_00 @ Dec 4th 2006 6:25PM]

Wow....Ive been following this story. Hopefully they find James in good health.

[Tom Boucher @ Dec 4th 2006 6:28PM]

Very happy to hear that the wife and kids are ok, looking forward to them finding Mr. Kim shortly.

[Lee @ Dec 4th 2006 6:29PM]

Do we know what happened to leave them lost in Oregon?

[Tonicboy @ Dec 4th 2006 6:33PM]

Oh man, that's GREAT news!!! If he is wandering around looking for help, that means there's still hope to find him!!!!

[Jacob santiago @ Dec 4th 2006 6:34PM]

This is such great news, I hope James is found next

[GJP303 @ Dec 4th 2006 6:37PM]

I'm really glad they were found. Hopefully they will find James really soon.

[Eric @ Dec 4th 2006 6:38PM]

Great news! We Oregonians lose enough people, we're good at searching those nooks for them. Now we need to keep the search up for James Kim!

[Ben @ Dec 4th 2006 6:38PM]

best news all day!

[chase @ Dec 4th 2006 6:38PM]

Amazing. Hope pays off. Hope they find James alright.

[Paul @ Dec 4th 2006 6:41PM]

Glad to hear they are safe, and now the search and rescue team has a much narrower place to look for james

[happyguy290 @ Dec 4th 2006 6:45PM]

YAY! I'm happy now, I hope James is okay. How'd they get stranded? Car crash?

JOY
JOY
JOY
JOY

[Dawg605 @ Dec 4th 2006 6:48PM]

Man, I'm so glad they were found.

I hope they find James alive and well!

[Drew @ Dec 4th 2006 6:51PM]

It sounds like their GPS might of told them to take NF-33, a really bad Forest Service road(I've taken it in summer a few times, in an 4x4 truck, and even then, your not sure you can travel the entire road) that would get you to a little town called Agness. Then, unstead of turning right, towards Gold Beach, they must of turned left towards Glendale and Merlin. Or they could of went down I-5 until they got to Merlin, then started driving down NF-23. Either way, its not something I would drive in a station wagon during winter.

[Eric @ Dec 4th 2006 6:54PM]

Man. Those that are familiar with the area know that the outlook for James is bleak. Pray for the best but expect the worst. I don't know what he had for clothing and supplies but two days (let alone nights) in that are is going to be tough. He was WAY off of I-5 on a BLM road.

[Eric @ Dec 4th 2006 7:06PM]

Great news. The weather on the West Coast has been abnormally cold since Thanksgiving. Let's hope James Kim is found soon.

[Bazza @ Dec 4th 2006 7:08PM]

Oh, thats fine news. James next please.

[Josh @ Dec 4th 2006 7:15PM]

Extremely good news. Really glad to hear that they are all right. Now if only they can find James Kim.

[Xultar @ Dec 4th 2006 7:17PM]

Thank God. Now let's find James.

[- @ Dec 4th 2006 7:21PM]

Good news, but man oh man, I hope James is okay--I'm glued to the news sites for updates. James, you have to make it out and write an article about how technology failed you--I look forward to that article, it will happen.

[squid729 @ Dec 4th 2006 8:10PM]

http://www.google.com/maps?q=Glendale,+OR+97442&ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=42.576423,-123.748198&spn=0.011424,0.035706&t=h&om=1

[Jason G @ Dec 4th 2006 7:38PM]

This is amazing news! I've been following this closely and I'm really happy the Kim women are safe and okay. James is a smart man....if his family can survive, he can too!

[Foof @ Dec 4th 2006 7:54PM]

Add me to the vigil - wishes and prayers go out to James and his safe return.

[Andrew @ Dec 4th 2006 8:01PM]

Thank God they found the Kati and the kids. I hope they find James soon!!!!

[chenry @ Dec 4th 2006 8:13PM]

I'm glad the family was found and I hope James is found next. But like Eric said, two days without proper supplies and clothing in November/December Oregon isn't fun.

[JLRMD2000 @ Dec 4th 2006 8:15PM]

Man I hope the goodnews keeps coming.

[Derek K. Miller @ Dec 4th 2006 8:24PM]

This looks like the area where they were ("Big Windy Creek" near Bear Camp):

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=42.65,+-123.72&ie=UTF8&z=10&ll=42.650122,-123.719788&spn=0.587856,1.459808&t=h&om=1&iwloc=addr

[icepop4who @ Dec 4th 2006 8:31PM]

that's really good news, but not really great news. hope james is ok.

[Oniel @ Dec 4th 2006 8:36PM]

Glad to hear they they found Mrs. Kim and the kids and there doing OK. Hope they find Mr. Kim soon, all the best to his family.

[deanna @ Dec 4th 2006 8:54PM]

This is such great news. It is so much more likely now that they'll find James since they now know where to look. I don't know these people, but I am sitting here with tears of joy streaming down my face. Just great, great news.

[Jason @ Dec 4th 2006 9:13PM]

Awesome x 3. Thanks God.

[Stephen Yuan @ Dec 4th 2006 9:17PM]

man........good thing that he's gone missing in Oregon instead of N.Dakota.

[mcloki @ Dec 4th 2006 9:21PM]

That is just wonderful news. I hope they find James very soon.

[christy @ Dec 4th 2006 9:38PM]

After this much time, I never expected this kind of good news out of this story, so I have high hopes for James. My heart goes out to them.

[Mike Browning @ Dec 4th 2006 9:49PM]

Oh my god this is amazing! Now go find James!

[Zach @ Dec 4th 2006 10:00PM]

I was actually in Best Buy when I first read this site and I let out a big thank god and everyone just turned at looked at me.

This is awesome news, I really wish I had the means to get out to Oregon, because I'd definitely go and help in the search for him.

[T-D @ Dec 4th 2006 10:06PM]

Are you normally this stupid, yosh, or did the short yellow bus hit you when they came to take you to school?

Seriously, anyone found alive after eight days is worth celebrating over. Not to mention that now, they know where Mr. Kim started from, and how long ago, which is going to make tracking him down much easier.

[Salman @ Dec 4th 2006 10:24PM]

At least this is finally hitting the pipeline:

http://www.comcast.net/news/national/index.jsp?cat=DOMESTIC&fn=/2006/12/04/534584.html&cvqh=itn_missingfamily

[Justin @ Dec 4th 2006 10:38PM]

"Those concerned are encouraged to check FlashAlert.net for further updates."

I think that everyone in the digi community is deeply concerned for the safety of the entire family. Although most of us may not know the family personally, its great to see the support of everyone who truly appreciates the well being of the people who write the trivial gadget stuff we read everyday. Thanks to all the sources that have kept this story and the thoughts of the Kim family close to mind. Hope to hear news of James safe return soon!!!

[uclatommy @ Dec 4th 2006 10:41PM]

I'm suprised that they were able to triangulate the family's position based on wireless device signal strength to cellphone towers. I didn't know that search and rescue teams these days were so sophisticated. Way to go.

I hope Mr. Kim is ok, but based on what I see in Survivor Man, Climbing Mt. Everest and Man vs Wild, going for so long without food and proper gear in such a harsh environment seems like it would be tough. I hope they find him soon.

[Matt Peckham @ Dec 4th 2006 10:46PM]

Very glad to see that Kati and the girls are alright. Amazing what they've done to survive. Still praying that James will be found alive. Fingers crossed.

[Eric B @ Dec 4th 2006 10:58PM]

I guess many people don't know this, but the number one thing you do not do is leave your vehicle in bad winter weather. Ever.

It almost guarantees for you to die.

[cjrenaud @ Dec 4th 2006 11:11PM]

Be realistic. He stayed with the car (and his family) for seven days At that point, any reasonable human being, particularly under the circumstances, would weigh their options and have to make a choice between starving or making a last-ditch attempt to find help. After a week, I don't know that I would be holding out a lot of hope of being found.

Hindsight is 20/20. In retrospect, it's obvious to say, NOW, he should have stayed with the car.

[tiuk @ Dec 5th 2006 12:25AM]

Well, I'm very happy to hear that the wife and children are safe, I'm sure that was his #1 priority. I really hope he's alright, time will tell.

[Ratchet the Lombax @ Dec 5th 2006 12:55AM]

This is great news, it is amazing that after that long the children and wife were ok. As much as I wanted to be positive I was beginning to loose hope with each passing hour. I just hope that James will be found now and he will be fine too.

Also this might be of some interest it is a live feed of the police dispatch/scanner for Grants Pass where they are looking for James.

http://www.joco-scanning.info/GPDPS%20Police%20Radio%20Feed.m3u

[jhunkins @ Dec 5th 2006 1:59AM]

As of 10:57 PM local news reports that James is still missing. They've tracked him into the Windy Creek Drainage and searchers will continue through the night. Tracking dogs arrive in the morning. Police report that James was dressed warmly and had a lighter with him.
I've posted a link to this area here:
http://joeduck.wordpress.com/2006/12/04/map-of-james-kims-probable-location/

[Mojorisin69 @ Dec 5th 2006 2:30AM]

I'm not religous but I pray that they find Kim and that he is OK.