Marilyn Koolstra

It felt like we'd come all this way, like we would be really effective to be close, whereas we didn't, you know, in reality we weren't really that close.

It felt like we'd come all this way, like we would be really effective to be close, whereas we didn't, you know, in reality we weren't really that close.

It was almost like we were like, OK, we're here, let's get going. Like, what have we got? And it just felt really flat then that we couldn't even get the person we needed to talk to on the phone. I remember feeling like they were under-activated. Like, I felt like...

It was almost like we were like, OK, we're here, let's get going. Like, what have we got? And it just felt really flat then that we couldn't even get the person we needed to talk to on the phone. I remember feeling like they were under-activated. Like, I felt like...

You know, if we were at home and this was the case, they would be gathering all of these volunteer search and rescue people and you would have a big team and they would all be there and it would be organised. And we were sort of probably thinking that a like version of that would have occurred or be occurring. And we didn't get any sense that that was what was happening.

You know, if we were at home and this was the case, they would be gathering all of these volunteer search and rescue people and you would have a big team and they would all be there and it would be organised. And we were sort of probably thinking that a like version of that would have occurred or be occurring. And we didn't get any sense that that was what was happening.

So I think it was hard not to feel critical or questioning of what are you doing? And maybe because he wasn't a U.S. citizen that they were perhaps a little less interested or taking it seriously. I was naive to the Uintas and to how the local system worked as well.

So I think it was hard not to feel critical or questioning of what are you doing? And maybe because he wasn't a U.S. citizen that they were perhaps a little less interested or taking it seriously. I was naive to the Uintas and to how the local system worked as well.

But even that was strange. You'd never met this person, and here you are in the midst of this massive family drama. Drama's not maybe the right word. This crisis, really. And you're very reliant on a complete stranger for everything. And you're trying to be effective. I think I felt the weight of expectation on behalf of everyone. Okay, we're here now. We've got to solve this problem.

But even that was strange. You'd never met this person, and here you are in the midst of this massive family drama. Drama's not maybe the right word. This crisis, really. And you're very reliant on a complete stranger for everything. And you're trying to be effective. I think I felt the weight of expectation on behalf of everyone. Okay, we're here now. We've got to solve this problem.

We've got to actually figure out, where is he? Like, what's happened here?

We've got to actually figure out, where is he? Like, what's happened here?

It doesn't seem real. We waved goodbye three weeks ago at Melbourne Airport and he told me to behave whilst he was away and it just seems like he's out trekking.

It doesn't seem real. We waved goodbye three weeks ago at Melbourne Airport and he told me to behave whilst he was away and it just seems like he's out trekking.

When I think about it, you know, I can go to the dark side and what if and where is he and what's happened and, you know, it's a bit hard to remain positive after four days and knowing the kind of person that he is, it's difficult.

When I think about it, you know, I can go to the dark side and what if and where is he and what's happened and, you know, it's a bit hard to remain positive after four days and knowing the kind of person that he is, it's difficult.

I remember looking at her going, seriously, like, you've not slept for days, your husband's missing, and this is actually a really brave thing to do. She sat there and spoke with her whole heart about who he was and, you know, what was happening. This is our family member. Yes, he's an Australian, but please help us.

I remember looking at her going, seriously, like, you've not slept for days, your husband's missing, and this is actually a really brave thing to do. She sat there and spoke with her whole heart about who he was and, you know, what was happening. This is our family member. Yes, he's an Australian, but please help us.

It was an evening, so, you know, I'd come home from work and that's, you know, sort of when it all, all eventuated.

It was an evening, so, you know, I'd come home from work and that's, you know, sort of when it all, all eventuated.