The mystery of Everett Ruess' disappearance is solved
source: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-ruess2-2009may02,0,7055090.story
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Artist and avid solo hiker Everett Ruess, who disappeared in 1934 in Utah's Davis Gulch at the age of 20, has been a 75-year old mystery -- the subject of much discussion and debate -- until recently. Navajo Aneth Nez, who has harbored a family secret, revealed to his grand-daughter that he had witnessed Ruess' murder at the hands of Ute youths near the Utah-Arizona state line.
Everett Ruess, who was friends with photographers Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams, longed for desert Southwest in solitude and to retreat from the City of Los Angeles where he was originally from. The Los Angeles Times article quotes from Ruess' last letter to family: "As to when I shall visit civilization, it will not be soon, I think. I prefer the saddle to the street-car, the star-sprinkled sky to a roof."
Everett Ruess left behind journals, drawings, and other art works, and his disappearance was a matter of much speculation as remains were never recovered or found. Some thought he followed the Colorado River to Mexico, others believed he "went native" with a tribal community in the area. Some thought Ruess had drowned in the Colorado River. He was also the subject of documentaries and books, including the film "Lost Forever: Everett Ruess" directed by Diane Orr (2000) which explores the mystery behind Ruess' disappearance and pieces together a fascinating portrait of this young man.
Everett Ruess, who was friends with photographers Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams, longed for desert Southwest in solitude and to retreat from the City of Los Angeles where he was originally from. The Los Angeles Times article quotes from Ruess' last letter to family: "As to when I shall visit civilization, it will not be soon, I think. I prefer the saddle to the street-car, the star-sprinkled sky to a roof."
Everett Ruess left behind journals, drawings, and other art works, and his disappearance was a matter of much speculation as remains were never recovered or found. Some thought he followed the Colorado River to Mexico, others believed he "went native" with a tribal community in the area. Some thought Ruess had drowned in the Colorado River. He was also the subject of documentaries and books, including the film "Lost Forever: Everett Ruess" directed by Diane Orr (2000) which explores the mystery behind Ruess' disappearance and pieces together a fascinating portrait of this young man.
