Update -- Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005
It’s Wednesday morning and we are still receiving lots of help and good thoughts from so many people, for which we are extremely grateful. Jenny and Lois have decided to stay on in order to help us with our very time-consuming search for Ben.
This is an excerpt of an email we received this morning from Matt, Ben’s friend who is accompanying David in Thailand:
This is an excerpt of an email we received this morning from Matt, Ben’s friend who is accompanying David in Thailand:
Today David and I met in the Bangkok Airport at around 6 a.m. local time (13 hours ahead of CST). Once through customs we were greeted by Stephen Gutierrez, lead private investigator. In sitting down to plan our day, I feel that a good team is forming.We spoke to Libby North by phone from Bangkok. She sounds strong and in good spirits. She feels that the aggressive antibiotic treatment she is receiving is beginning to slow the infection in her wounds. She shared many good thoughts with the family and several stories about her recent travels with Ben. She is still trying to obtain the money and help needed to expedite her return to the U.S.
Tomorrow we are off to Phuket, where we will check in at the Consulate Authorities/U.S. Embassy and then proceed to continue our search. This will include going to the 3 local hospitals to make sure that no John Does have been overlooked.
We will spend tomorrow night in Phuket and leave for Krabi on Friday morning.
20 Comments:
My name is Amy Sauers Hubbard and I met Ben in 1994 through friends in Telluride. When Ben moved to Boulder, our friendship grew and we have kept in touch ever since. My husband and I were shocked to hear that he is missing. Our thoughts are with all of Ben's family and friends and we will continue to be hopeful for his safe return home. Thank you for setting up this blog to keep us updated on his situation.
Sincere regards,
Amy, Dale, Grady & Charlie Hubbard
I am one of the many, many ETHS alumni who are thinking of Ben and sending hopes and prayers. I last saw Ben in 2002 at Becca and Joey's wedding, where Ben spent much of his time taking fabulous pictures of the gang, including a very sweet picture of my son and me which will always be special. Thank you for keeping us informed.
Katie, Nathan, Will and Elizabeth Overberg
Thinking of you and praying hard and believing in miracles. with much love, joanie
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Jen,
Our thoughts of love and hope go out to you and your family. Your generous spirit is so greatly appreciated at this important time.
With love,
Claire, Jeff, Nate and Cole
My name is Sarah Kowal Wernikoff. Ben and I have been friends since about 1983 when we attended tennis camp together in Wisconsin. Our friendship continued when we both ended up at Miami...and we've managed to keep in touch over the years ever since. Ben is an outstanding person, the sweetest guy, a great friend. He and his family have been in my thoughts and prayers continuously since I heard of this very sad news. Thank you so much for the updates on this website.
With love and hope,
Sarah
P.S. Libby was in my sorority at Miami -- I have not been in touch with her since that time but if her family is checking in on this site please know that she has been in my thoughts as well.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Abels family. Bob- if there is anything we can do, please let us know.
Jerry and Emily
does anyone know which hospital libby is staying at? i am currently in thailand & would like to send some things over for her. email me @ patrickbotzet@chevrontexaco.com
Dear Abels family,
My name is Shelly (Broadright) Albright. I had the pleasure of getting to know Ben while attending Miami U. I got to know him through a housemate/sorority sister of mine (Libby is also a sorority sister). I hadn't spoken with him in years; however, I never forgot his contagious smile. I have even referred to him as "one of the nicest guys you could ever meet." I just wanted to let you know that all of you are in my family's thoughts and prayers daily. We hope that knowing how many people Ben has touched throughout his life gives you some comfort as you deal with this difficult time.
Shelly
my name is randy and my mom ( marcia) is a relative of ben and we just wanted to say that we are praying for him very much
I, too, went to ETHS with Ben. Thank you for the updates. My thoughts, my family's thoughts are with the Abels family.
My name is Lalitny Tesseo a staff at the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago. I just would like to let the Abels's family know that our office has requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help search for Ben Abels since we heard the news on Dec 27. My thought & prays are with your family. If there is anything that the Royal Thai Consulate-General can do for you please contact us at 700 N.Rush St., Chicago,IL60611 Tel 312-664-3129.
Dear Bob and family,
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Ben's disappearance in Phi Phi. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Your son and your family have touched so many people so very deeply. This blog is a testament to that, as is the public resolve to find Ben. I wish you all the strength and courage possible to face each coming day and continue your search. Please let me know if I can be of any help.
Much love,
Theresa (from Oakton Jazz and Hocus Pocus)
I'm so sorry for your difficulties. I read this story in the Tribune upon return from holiday. While I don't know your Ben, I know he must be a super-duper wonderful guy. Anyone who spends any great length in Telluride (my favorite place in the world) is just simply great. I told my mom of this story. When I told her that he spent time in Telluride after college, she responded with, "Oh, he's our kind of guy!"
My wish for your family is comfort and serenity. You're in my heart.
Dear Abels Family,
My name is Russell Sargeant and I was in Ben's small SAE pledge class at Miami. Ben and I then lived in the same house as seniors at Miami. I am also happy to say that I was the one that brought Ben and Grommet together...I'm so glad I did as they were a perfect match for one another. Ever since I received the news on the 27th, Ben has been in my thoughts and prayers everyday. My prayers are also with you as we all wait for some news on Ben. Ben is a wonderful friend who could always lighten the room and make anyone and everyone feel comfortable. Thank you for keeping us all posted through this site and please know that there are so many people thinking of and praying for Ben and for your family. Russell
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Abels, & David-
My name is Sarah (Nelson) Freza and I got to know Ben through his friendship with my brother, Mike, during high school. I, too, as others have wanted to share my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Ben has been in my thoughts and prayers ever since I heard of the awful tragedy. My immediate thought upon hearing of Ben was he is such a kind, incredibly friendly person and I know he will be ok. Many memories have filled my thoughts over the past week and a half, but one of the most precious memories I have of Ben is after I moved to Denver and realized Ben was living in Boulder. Shortly after my daughter was born in 2000, Ben came to our house for a small get together of some Evanston folks and he brought my daughter a beautiful book of stories written by Hans Christian Anderson. The treasured book has always sat on my daughter’s night stand and every time I have picked it up to read her bedtime stories I have thought of Ben.
I remember, as well, his “brotherly” guidance and kindness as I attended Miami University for a year as a freshman and he would call me just to simply check on how things were going.
He truly is a remarkable person who has touched many lives in numerous ways. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Sarah Nelson Freza
I've known Benji since we were 6 years old. Can't believe it's been over 27 years. He and I have had some of the best moments of our lives together. I cannot say there has been any time since last Sunday that I have not been thinking of him or Hope, Bob or David.
Thank you for setting this site up to keep us informed.
The Abels Family
I would like to take a moment to say how deeply sorry my family is. Ben and I are longtime ETHS friends and have been on countless trips together-some of the best times I've ever had.
Ben is and will always be a true friend. You are blessed to have so many people that care and have reached out in search of Ben. That alone speaks volumes to how many lives Ben has touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
"PRIDE"- always and forever Ben!
Love
Mike, Cheryl, Jordan Nelson
Ben is an incredibly thoughtful, encouraging, patient and unbelievably kind guy. We met in September; I had the opportunity to celebrate his birthday with him and enjoyed our numerous adventures over the last few months.
Ben cheerfully attended the circus on a moments notice with my son and I. To spend quality time with my son and give me a break, Ben once rocked Hunter for an hour to put him to sleep. He always remembered to order extra takeout for the babysitters whom he referred to as “Hunter’s Harem”.
Thank you for putting this website together and for all of the news on your exhaustive search. I am so sorry for your agonizing experience. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers everyday. Thank you also for raising a man that made such a positive impact on so many lives. If there is anything I can do now or in the future, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 312-217-6889. I miss him very much.
Jen Flaitz
I too went to ETHS and knew Ben. Although we were not close friends, what I did know of him was that he was known to be one of the most down to earth people you'll ever meet. I now live in Arizona and when I heard the news from Evanston, I was stunned. I can't tell you how sorry I feel for your family. My families prayers are with you.
Sincerly,
Anna, Tony and Sadie Vivirito (Stanard)
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